Liverpool now red hot favourites to seal deal for £50m World Cup midfield powerhouse | OneFootball

Last week Liverpool were mentioned as one of the suitors in the race for FIFA World Cup breakout star Kaishu Sano.

The 25-year-old workhorse was devastatingly effective in the Japan midfield - scoring a brilliant goal in the Samurai Blue’s round of 32 defeat at the hands of Brazil.

Sano returns to his club - Mainz of the Bundesliga - as a man in demand with teams across Germany and the Premier League now queuing up for his signature.

Liverpool take the lead in Sano chase

That’s according to a new report in Fussball Daten - which claims Manchester United, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are all in the race to sign the £50m-rated No6.

Liverpool are frontrunners to land Sano however - with reports of talks having already been opened between the club and the midfielder’s entourage.

The outgoing Premier League champions indeed are described as “desperate” to conclude a midfield transfer.

Stefan Bjacetic, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones all could be leaving the club this summer meaning a reduced number of midfielders for new coach Andoni Iraola to work with.

Liverpool open talks with Sano

“The Bundesliga club will only approve a transfer if an astronomical offer is presented,” the report reads.

“The board has established a strict valuation ceiling between €50 and €60 million (£43m and £52m).

"Liverpool are desperately seeking a defensive anchor capable of dominating transitions and bolstering their midfield rotation, and are now considered the frontrunners with the most concrete and serious interest in this transfer.

“Reports indicate that the English giants have already contacted the player's representatives to explore personal terms and wage demands, while preparing their financial allocation to approach Mainz.”

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Kaishu Sano: Situation summary

Kaishu Sano is a combative, positionally sharp defensive midfielder who specialises in screening the back line, breaking up play and moving the ball on quickly rather than dictating games in possession.

His game is built on work rate, timing in duels and tactical discipline.

Born in December 2000 in Tsuyama, Okayama, he came through in Japan before joining Mainz in 2024 and has since established himself as a regular for both club and country.

His World Cup goal versus Brazil in 2026 has significantly raised his profile. Sano is under contract with Mainz until 2028, giving the Bundesliga club leverage and virtually guaranteeing that any sale comes at a premium.

That security makes him a classic “sell on their terms” asset.