Reports in Japan have suggested that Hidetoshi Nakata may make a summer transfer to Bayern Munich in a swap deal that would see Oliver Kahn move to Italy.

Nakata, 26, has failed to recapture the form he showed at Roma since moving to Parma. In fact, in twenty-four appearances for the club this season he has been substituted eleven times – more than any other player.

A move to Germany would also appeal to Bayern as much as it would Nakata, because of the commercial benefits it would bring.

Moreover , Bayern veteran Thorsten Fink is likely to move to Japan in the summer for a final season before joining Bayern’s coachingstaff, which would help relations between the club and country in the Far East.

Goalkeeper Kahn would not rule out a move abroad either, as his season has been hindered by personal problems in his homeland.