Sporting director admits he would sell €60m “duel monster” if a bid leaves him “gasping for air”

Liverpool have been encouraged to sign Mainz defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano after being linked with the 25-year-old recently.

A report from Japanese outlet Nikkan Sports on 2 July claimed that Liverpool were interested in signing Sano, who has played 119 times for Mainz since joining the Bundesliga outfit in 2024 for a reported €2.5m.

Nikkan Sports claimed that Mainz expect “a big offer may be coming” for the “duel monster”, with another recent report stating that the German outfit is hoping to receive a €60m (51.4m) bid. This would represent a €57.5m (£49.3m) profit.

Many fans, myself included, feel that Andoni Iraola needs a traditional defensive midfielder to protect the back four, with high-pressing once again returning to Anfield.

Liverpool’s best press ever was when they had Fabinho mopping up messes before they reached the likes of Virgil van Dijk, and for all his talent, Ryan Gravenberch just isn’t a natural holding midfielder. His talent is best used in transition in the attacking sense.

Mainz manager opens the door of summer sale of Kaishu Sano amid Liverpool interest

Sano has been heavily linked with a summer transfer amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, particularly since his starring role in Japan’s World Cup campaign. The 25-year-old scored against Brazil, and while stopping goals is more his style, it was a wonderful moment for the Mainz star.

??? ???????? | Kaishu Sano (25) just scored his FIRST ever international goal for Japan. ?

The goal comes in knockouts against Brazil. What a moment. ? pic.twitter.com/gYjPt21TI1

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 29, 2026

Now, Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel has opened the door to a Sano exit this summer, even though the German club can afford to keep him for another year.

Speaking to Bild, Heidel said: “We don’t have to sell Kaishu and can afford to keep him. If he stays, there will be a lot of happy people in the team, at the club, and around it.”

Heidel, however, added that Mainz would be forced to consider next steps if they received an offer that would be too good to turn down.

Given how impressive he has been in the last 12 months, it’s quite possible such an offer would arrive from Liverpool or Arsenal – though Liverpool need him more than the Gunners do.

“It’s always the same at Mainz 05. If an offer comes in that leaves us gasping for air, we have to think about it,” Heidel said.

Sano is under contract until 2028 and is represented by UDN Sports.