Nottingham Forest failed in their attempts to sign a midfielder before the winter transfer window closed
15:36, 08 Feb 2026
NEC Nijmegen's Kodai Sano has been linked with Nottingham Forest
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NEC Nijmegen's Kodai Sano has been linked with Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty)
NEC Nijmegen were intent on rejecting any bids for Nottingham Forest-linked Kodai Sano before the winter transfer window closed - but it could be a different story in the summer.
Adding a midfielder to Sean Dyche’s squad was on the Reds’ wish list before last Monday’s deadline. They tried their luck for a number of targets - including making three offers for Celtic’s Arne Engels - but were unable to strengthen in that department.
Reports from the Netherlands have suggested Forest also made a bid for Japan international Sano. Dutch giants Ajax put forward €15 million (£13m) for him, and the Reds topped that by bidding €20m (£17m) - but both offers were rebuffed.
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NEC Nijmegen technical director Carlos Aalbers has explained why the club were not prepared to let the 22-year-old go. However, he has hinted the situation could be different at the end of the season, if the player’s suitors come calling again.
He told Dutch publication Soccer News (via Sport Witness) of the interest in Sano: “We managed it internally. I first talk to Kodai, then his management. After that, I tell the clubs that we won’t accept any offers.
“They were good, mind you, but they’re very welcome in the summer. Right now, we’re on a journey towards something great, and we want to finish it together.”
He added: “€20 million is, of course, a huge sum. The advantage is that we have Marcel Boekhoorn (a financial backer of the club) on hand. Without him, we couldn’t have refused such amounts.
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“We’re still not standing on our own two feet. At the end of the transfer window, Boekhoorn told us even if they offer double, a transfer is not something we want.
“It’s understandable that Sano wants to make a move. Four clubs have made offers for him, including Premier League and Bundesliga clubs. We certainly want to work towards a good transfer for him, but the timing wasn’t right.
“He’s been flexible and never pushed back. A South American player in his situation might have grabbed me by the throat and stopped showing up for training. That’s why we’re going to offer Sano a top tier transfer next summer.”
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