Eintracht Frankfurt target Mainz ‘Iron Man’ Kaishu Sano to shore up defensive midfield | OneFootball

Sport Bild reports that Eintracht Frankfurt are targeting Mainz “Iron Man” Kaishu Sano as a defensive midfield reinforcement. The Japanese international’s remarkable run-of-form at his current Bundesliga club his seen him literally increase his estimated market value ten-fold in 13 months. Sano – worth an estimated €2.5m upon joining the Rheinhessen in the summer of 2024 – is now considered a €25m-valued player. 

Frankfurt’s recent defensive issues the RheinMainAdler in desperate need of a more defensive-minded professional in midfield. Mainz naturally won’t be keen to part company with their star performer, but the lure of a larger club may be too great. The Nullfünfter have also been grooming a potential replacement for Sano in the form of summer acquisition Sota Kawasaki.

Despite the fact that they are a smaller market club, Mainz management has recently demonstrated its ability to retain players being courted by other clubs. French wingback Anthony Caci – heavily linked with a move to the Premier League– opted to unexpectedly sign an extension with the Carnival club a couple of weeks ago. 

Mainz’s league performances leave much to be desired. After losing to Eintracht in the most recent Bundesliga round, Mainz remain in 17th-place with just one win through 10 matchdays. The fact that the Palatinate side continues to thrive in Europe nevertheless leaves plenty of players enthusiastic about serving under head coach Bo Henriksen.

GGFN | Peter Weis