Liverpool are expected to strengthen their squad this summer after dealing with depth issues throughout last season, with midfield emerging as a priority area ahead of the Premier League’s return next month. According to Bild, the Reds have identified Mainz 05 midfielder Kaishu Sano as a primary transfer target and are prepared to spend £51 million to land him.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch carried a heavy workload over the past 12 months, yet both Mac Allister and Gravenberch fell short of their best form. Curtis Jones’ future at the club remains uncertain, adding further urgency to the search for midfield reinforcements.
Sano caught attention during Japan’s run at the World Cup this summer. The Bundesliga midfielder performed well despite Japan’s exit at the hands of Brazil in the round of 32, and that exposure only confirmed the interest from clubs tracking him.
Why Sano Suits Liverpool’s System
Andoni Iraola is expected to bring the high-intensity, pressing-based approach he developed at Bournemouth to Anfield. With Liverpool scheduled to compete close to twice a week throughout 2026/27, an energetic, box-to-box profile in the engine room is not optional — it is necessary.
Sano fits that brief. He reads play quickly, wins possession at a consistent rate, and uses his pace and physicality to carry the ball aggressively into advanced areas.
His progressive carrying is a specific attribute Liverpool have lacked outside of Szoboszlai. That directness gives the team another route to creating chances and converting them at a higher rate.
Value at £51 Million
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At 25, Sano offers sustained output across a multi-year window. If the £51 million valuation is enough to convince Mainz 05 to sell, Liverpool would be securing a high-quality, positionally versatile midfielder at a price that holds up against the current market. Follow TipsGG for continued coverage of Liverpool’s transfer activity as the window progresses.