NEC Rejects Transfer Offer for Kodai Sano Amidst Ambitions for European Football

In January, NEC made the decision to reject a reported €20 million bid from Nottingham Forest for Kodai Sano. It seems almost certain that the Japanese player will make a move this coming summer.

Carlos Aalbers, director of NEC, confirmed this in an interview with De Gelderlander. He stated, “Even if they offered double, a transfer is not something we desire right now. We aim to qualify for European football, and with Sano, our chances of achieving that are significantly greater. If we succeed, it would be a historic milestone for NEC. For our supporters, it would create unforgettable experiences.”

Aalbers acknowledged the magnitude of the €20 million offer, stating, “That is indeed a substantial amount. Fortunately, we have Marcel Boekhoorn supporting us, which is why we were able to turn down such offers. Without him, we would not have been in a position to refuse these kinds of sums. We are still not fully independent financially.”