Mainz 05 Eyes Young Midfielder Kodai Sano as Potential Replacement for Kaishu

Florian Plettenberg reports that FSV Mainz 05 is contemplating a transfer for Kodai Sano, the younger brother of current player Kaishu Sano, from NEC Nijmegen. Like his older brother, who is 24, Kodai, aged 22, is a versatile midfielder with international caps for Japan. However, while Kaishu specializes in defensive midfield, Kodai is more offensive-minded and can also operate on the wing.

Kodai Sano currently holds an estimated market value of €6 million. This season, he has scored one goal and provided three assists in 17 league appearances for his Eredivisie club. He joined NEC Nijmegen from Fagiano Okayama in the summer of 2023, where he had a successful first season, netting five league goals in the Dutch top flight.

The remarkable increase in Kaishu’s market value—from €2.5 million to €25 million in just his first year in the Bundesliga—suggests that Mainz is likely to lose their standout midfielder, often referred to as the “Iron Man” of the team.

There are rumors of interest from other Bundesliga clubs, but it is probable that a player of Kaishu’s caliber would consider an opportunity abroad. Given that Mainz is currently engaged in a relegation battle, it seems unlikely that he will remain with the club.

In anticipation of Kaishu’s potential exit, Mainz has already secured another promising Japanese talent, Sota Kawasaki, who they hope will benefit from Kaishu’s guidance before his departure. However, replacing Kaishu on a like-for-like basis will be challenging. It is clear that the Mainz administration will continue to actively search for suitable replacements for such a pivotal player.