Liverpool have already gotten a jump on Arsenal and Manchester United in the race for Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, and they’re not wasting time.
According to FussballDaten, the Reds have contacted the 25-year-old’s representatives and talked personal terms. An actual offer to the German club is expected next. That puts them ahead of two Premier League rivals who also badly need a player like Sano in the middle of the pitch.
The Japanese international turned heads at the World Cup with his reading of the game and his timing in the tackle. He’s been a steady force for Mainz since arriving in the Bundesliga, and now his price tag sits somewhere between €50-60 million this summer. That’s not cheap but it’s reasonable for a defensive midfielder hitting his prime years.
What Sano would bring to Anfield
Sano is the kind of anchor Liverpool have been missing. He sits in front of the back four, breaks up attacks, and keeps things simple with the ball. That would let guys like Szoboszlai and Mac Allister push forward more freely. For a team trying to get back into Champions League contention consistently, that type of structure matters.
The move would also be a massive step up for Sano personally. Leaving Mainz for Liverpool means competing for trophies and playing in front of 60,000 people every other week. Hard to turn that down.
Arsenal and Man United are watching closely
But neither Arsenal nor Manchester United have backed off. United especially need a midfielder after Casemiro moved on. They’ve been linked to a bunch of names this window but haven’t locked anyone in yet. Sano fits the profile — young enough to build around, experienced in a top European league, and used to playing in a system that demands defensive discipline.
Arsenal are in a similar spot. Christian Norgaard is likely out the door this summer. He’s not in the plans anymore and the club will look to sell. That leaves a hole Mikel Arteta needs to fill with someone who can do the dirty work and let the creative guys cook.
For Sano, the choice should come down to playing time. All three clubs can offer him a bigger stage than Mainz. But only one can guarantee he’s a starter from day one. That might be Liverpool, given their current midfield setup. Then again, Arsenal and United might offer paths too.
No word yet on when Mainz will respond or if a bidding war kicks off. But Liverpool have already done the hard part — they made the first call.
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