FSV Mainz 05 Eyeing Young Midfielder Kodai Sano

Florian Plettenberg reports that FSV Mainz 05 is considering the acquisition of Kodai Sano, the younger brother of current player Kaishu Sano, from NEC Nijmegen. Like his brother, who is 24 years old, Kodai, at 22, is a versatile midfielder with senior international caps for Japan. However, while Kaishu specializes in defensive midfield, Kodai is more attack-oriented and can also excel on the wing.

Kodai currently has an estimated market value of €6 million. This season, the younger Samurai international has made 17 league appearances, scoring one goal and providing three assists for his Eredivisie team. He made the transition to the Netherlands from Fagiano Okayama in the summer of 2023, where he notably scored five league goals during his inaugural season in the Dutch top flight.

Given the remarkable rise in Kaishu’s market value—from €2.5 million to €25 million in just one year in the Bundesliga—Mainz is facing the likelihood of losing their star midfielder, often referred to as the team’s “Iron Man.”

While there are rumors of interest from various Bundesliga clubs, a player of Kaishu’s caliber is expected to consider opportunities abroad. Remaining with Mainz, especially as the team actively contends in the relegation battle, seems improbable.

In anticipation of this potential departure, Mainz has already secured another Japanese prospect, Sota Kawasaki, who they hope will benefit from Kaishu’s mentorship before he leaves. However, replacing Kaishu on a like-for-like basis may prove challenging, prompting the Mainz administrative team to continue seeking various alternatives for such a pivotal player.