Liverpool have entered the race to sign Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, who is valued at around €50million (£43million), according to Nikkan Sports.
Sano impressed last season for Mainz in the Bundesliga, making 48 appearances as Urs Fischer's side finished comfortably in mid-table. However, it was the deep-lying playmaker's performances at the World Cup for Japan that have caught the eye of several top clubs, with the 25-year-old scoring against Brazil in Monday's round of 32 tie in Houston.
The Samurai Blue crashed out of the international tournament at the hands of the Selecao, meaning a prospective deal for Sano could now accelerate.
Liverpool, along with the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, are said to be monitoring the player's situation.
Liverpool eye move for Kaishu Sano
Kaishu Sano (Japan) at the 2026 World CupAnnegret Hilse via Action Images via Reuters
Andoni Iraola has arrived at Liverpool and is eager to implement his footballing philosophy from the outset. This will require acquiring players who can play in the Spaniard's style, with the likes of Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande linked with a switch to Anfield as potential Mohamed Salah replacements.
Alongside bolstering this feeble attack, which has been weakened by Salah's departure, Iraola wants to improve his midfield department on Merseyside.
Japanese publication Nikkan Sports reports that Sano is on Liverpool's radar. Mainz value Sano at around £43 million, and expect to garner this fee due to the widespread interest in the player.
Premier League clubs Brighton and Brentford are set to fight the Reds for Sano's signature, while Mainz are seemingly preparing for life without the former Kashima Antlers man, having completed a deal for his replacement, Eric Martel from Cologne.
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Nikkan Sports insists that Liverpool may be prepared to table a 'big offer' for Sano, although the outlet hasn't specified what sort of fee the Merseysiders are willing to stump up.
While Iraola will be confident in his club's ability to beat Brighton and Brentford to the player's signature, Sano has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund in the past, all of whom would complicate Liverpool's advances if they were to make a serious move.
Confidence in Japan that Kaishu Sano is ready for the Premier League
Kodai Sano
Given Sano's top-level experience to date is limited to two seasons in the Bundesliga, Liverpool supporters would be forgiven for being sceptical about his prospects in the Premier League.
That said, Nikkan Sports suggests that there is confidence in Japan that the World Cup star's physical and technical attributes will translate well to the English top flight.
Against Brazil, Sano gracefully glided beyond Casemiro before slotting home from the edge of the box to give the Samurai Blue the lead early on. This was a prime example of his quality, and Liverpool fans will hope he can replicate this in a red shirt next season in the north-west.
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