Liverpool have a lot of work to do in the summer transfer window despite already getting deals for Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet over the line.
Andoni Iraola has his work cut out for him, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away from conclusion, transfer talk is expected to accelerate this month.
The Reds’ midfield struggled last season due to a combination of injuries to key players and poor form.
And now, if reports from Germany are to be believed, they are looking to sign Japan’s Kaishu Sano to add another quality option to the centre of the park.
Liverpool preparing €60m Kaishu Sano bid
Earlier this month, we reported on Read Liverpool that the Reds want Sano, who played a starring role at the World Cup for Japan.
The Mainz midfielder notched up an assist and scored a fantastic opening goal against Brazil, although Carlo Ancelotti’s side came from behind to eliminate them from the competition in the Round of 32.
BILD report that Liverpool are preparing an offer worth €60m for Sano. If the deal goes through, it would be the highest-ever transfer fee for an Asian player, making it a world-record deal in that regard.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with an interest, so it remains to be seen if any of the aforementioned teams rival the Reds for his signature.
Sano is expected to leave this summer on the back of his strong World Cup displays and is all set to become Mainz’s record sale.
Liverpool need a defensive midfielder
Sano is capable of playing multiple roles across the backline and has been a key player for Mainz in the Bundesliga.
However, at the World Cup, he played alongside Daichi Kamada in a 3-4-3 formation, which isn’t close to how Iraola intends to line up at Anfield.
He’s tactically flexible and has shown a lot of versatility, which could make him a useful squad option at best.
At that fee, Liverpool could be doing a lot better and need someone who can provide cover and competition for Ryan Gravenberch in the No. 6 role.
Links with Sano have actually intensified since the start of the World Cup, so this is a transfer that could have legs.
That said, the Reds need to narrow down on the profile they want to target as they already have Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as usable options, while Stefan Bajcetic is also set to get a chance to save his Liverpool career in pre-season.
