Nottingham Forest reportedly tried to sign Kodai Sano from Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
16:42, 03 Feb 2026
BREDA, NETHERLANDS - JANUARY 17: Kodai Sano of NEC Nijmegen celebrates 3-4 during the Dutch Eredivisie match between NAC Breda v NEC Nijmegen at the Rat Verlegh Stadium on January 17, 2026 in Breda Netherlands (Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Kodai Sano of NEC Nijmegen(Image: Getty Images)
Kodai Sano admits he was hoping to leave NEC Nijmegen last month after being linked with Nottingham Forest.
After a frantic transfer deadline day in which the Reds saw several bids for Celtic’s Arne Engels rejected, ESPN NL claimed Forest bid €20m, around £17.2m, for a player also being courted by Ajax.
Their report says that offer was only made ‘in the final hours’, which the Eredivisie outfit knocking it back. It seems Forest and Ajax weren’t the only clubs keen.
Indeed the 22-year-old, who joined NEC from Fagiano Okayama in the summer of 2023, told Voetbal International he is ready for the next step – and he expressed his gratitude for those clubs who wanted to help him make it.
He is quoted by VI, via NEC’s own channel: "I've received several offers, and the past ten days have been difficult for me. I'd like to thank all the clubs that were interested and made offers. I explained my position, and NEC explained theirs.
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"I'm still young, so I can't say I can completely shut it out. But I'm also a professional, so I just have to deliver on the pitch. Off the pitch, it was sometimes difficult. I've spoken with the club and I feel free. I have to move on, and I feel good.
"I came to NEC to ultimately take the next step. I'm very focused on my career and I know how important that next step is. I was hoping to make a move this winter, but I also understand the club's situation. Now I'm focusing on the summer."
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Forest could find Sano’s value has gone up by then, if he continues his good form, he has played 81 times in the middle of the park for NEC, and reaches the World Cup in North America.
"The World Cup is my biggest dream. That's why I realise how important this season is. I still have a chance of being called up. To do that, I have to play a lot and gain experience. I want to make my dream come true."
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