Mainz Open to Liverpool Sano Deal as Reds Plan Midfield Boost 2026

Key Points

• Liverpool are actively seeking a Mohamed Salah replacement and have already pursued Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola this summer.
• After Diomande’s rejection, Liverpool’s midfield plan has shifted towards Kaishū Sano, the 25-year-old Mainz defensive midfielder.
• Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert stated publicly that his club “will consider” offers for Sano, though there is no pressure to sell.
• Sano is valued at around €60m (£51m) in Germany, which is significantly cheaper than comparable Premier League options such as Alex Scott or Adam Wharton.
• Former Mainz coach Bo Henriksen described Sano as “a machine” who is quick, wins headers, and has “incredible leap”.
• Sano’s defensive stats (recoveries, duel success) are markedly better than Liverpool’s current midfielder Alex Mac Allister, making him a more tenacent option for Andoni Iraola’s system.
• A move for Sano could rule out Premier League targets and potentially open the door for Manchester United to bid for alternatives.
• Liverpool still have Ryan Gravenberch as their main No.6, but they lack a traditional backup, especially if Stefan Bajcetić and/or Wataru Endō leave.
• Sano’s contract runs until 2028, giving Mainz leverage and ensuring they are not under pressure to accept a lower offer.

 Anfield FC (Liverpool standard) July 04, 2026 – It has been forced to rethink some of their transfer plans following Yan Diomande’s rejection in recent weeks, but have received a major boost to sign another Bundesliga star, as reported by Football FanCast. The main priority at uk/local/anfield/">Anfield is a Mohamed Salah replacement this summer, which is why Diamonde has been their top target and why Bradley Barcola has been in their crosshairs in recent weeks.

Once that problem is solved, however, the focus is likely to shift towards a midfielder, and that is when Kaishū Sano could be key. Liverpool have reportedly set their sights on the 25-year-old and received a public boost from Mainz, according to the same report.

How Has Mainz Responded to Liverpool’s Sano Interest?

Mainz Sporting Director’s Public Statement

Addressing his midfielder’s future, Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert admitted that he “will consider” offers to sell Sano this summer in a major boost for Liverpool, as reported by Sport Witness. “If a club comes along with an offer, we’ll consider it,” Bungert said, while stressing there is no pressure to sell.

“It’s obvious that a player who has played two years in the Bundesliga and was outstanding at the World Cup, probably the best player in his position, is in demand,” Bungert continued.

“There’s no doubt there are interested parties. It’s well known that England is the league where outstanding players usually move,”

he added, according to Bild, whose quotes were relayed by Sport Witness.

“Our big advantage is that the player still has a long-term contract, so we’re under no pressure at all and won’t be rushing anything,” Bungert explained. “If, in our view, it’s not high enough for the player’s market value, then it’s also possible that Kaishū will stay with us longer. As of today, everything is still open. But we know, of course, that we have a player who is generating a lot of interest,” he said.

Bild claim Mainz are looking for a fee close to €60m, for a player with a contract until 2028 and valued at €40m by Transfermarkt, as cited by Sport Witness.

Why Could Sano Be the Ideal Midfield Partner for Gravenberch?

Tactical Fit and Energy in Midfield

The biggest criticism that could be aimed at Liverpool last season was their lack of energy in midfield, which was entirely out of character and eventually cost Arne Slot his job, according to Football FanCast. That is the first thing Andoni Iraola must change and could change with the addition of Sano, the report argues.

Compared to the likes of Alex Mac Allister, the Mainz star is far more tenacious and rugged without necessarily losing crucial competence in possession, Football FanCast states. The numbers are damning for Mac Allister, who endured an alarmingly poor duel success last season compared to someone like Sano, with the report highlighting Sano’s superior recoveries per 90 and duel success rate.

Under Iraola, there will only be one winner if the latter arrives, Football FanCast suggests, emphasising that Sano’s profile matches the physical and tactical demands of the new system.

Statistical Comparison: Sano vs Mac Allister (2025/26)

Metric	Sano	Mac Allister
Minutes	3,059	2,662
Recoveries P90	5.97	3.98
Duel success	62.7%	45.2%
Pass accuracy	80.1%	86.6%

As shown in the table sourced from Football FanCast, Sano’s recoveries per 90 and duel success rate are significantly higher than Mac Allister’s, even though Mac Allister retains a slight edge in pass accuracy.

What Does Football FanCast’s Verdict Say About the Sano Move?

Credibility

It doesn’t get much more credible than from the Mainz chief himself and Liverpool’s pursuit of Sano certainly makes sense, Football FanCast argues. As talented as Ryan Gravenberch is, he’s not a traditional No.6, and the Japan international would provide exactly that alongside the Dutchman, the report states.

Finances

Whilst absurd figures have been flying around the midfield market, Sano represents a modern-day bargain at €60m (£51m) and the Reds could take full advantage, according to Football FanCast. This fee is far cheaper than Premier League options such as Alex Scott or Adam Wharton, making Sano a financially attractive target.

Insight

In terms of suiting Andoni Iraola, Sano is an ideal option, Football FanCast says. The 25-year-old has received countless praise in Germany, including from former Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen, who said: “Kaishu is a machine. He’s unbelievable. He’s quick and wins headers because of his incredible leap,” as quoted by Football FanCast.

Impact

Liverpool’s pursuit of the Mainz man could rule out a move for a Premier League option like Alex Scott or Adam Wharton, which may then open the door for Manchester United to swoop in instead, Football FanCast warns. When it comes to price, however, the Reds would be the real winners, the report concludes.

There’s still a lot of work to be done for any deal to take place, but the verdict from Mainz is undoubtedly a starting point for all parties, Football FanCast adds.

What Are Liverpool’s Current Midfield Options and Needs?

Existing Defensive Midfielders at Anfield

Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endō and Stefan Bajcetić are the three defensive midfielders at Anfield, according to Sport Witness. Bajcetić, who didn’t feature last season because of an injury, is reportedly negotiating a move to Spain, while he and Endō have a year left on their contracts, and the latter has also dealt with injury concerns, the report notes.

This leaves Gravenberch without a recognised backup, Sport Witness states. The Reds will have to sign a new defensive midfielder especially if Bajcetić and/or Endō were to leave, the article explains, making Sano a logical target to fill that gap.

Kaishū Sano can be an option for Liverpool, but it’s unclear if the Reds or his other suitors are willing to offer close to €60m, Sport Witness adds, highlighting the financial challenge inherent in the deal.

Background: How This Development Has Evolved

This development stems from Liverpool’s broader summer transfer strategy, which has prioritised finding a Mohamed Salah replacement while also addressing long-term midfield weaknesses. After failing to secure Yan Diomande, Liverpool’s focus has shifted towards Bundesliga talent, with Kaishū Sano emerging as a key target due to his physical profile, World Cup performances, and strong endorsements from German coaches. Mainz’s public willingness to consider offers, combined with their firm valuation around €60m, has created a transparent negotiating framework that other clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, are also monitoring, as reported by multiple outlets including Football FanCast and Sport Witness.

The timing is critical: Sano’s contract runs until 2028, giving Mainz leverage, while Liverpool face potential departures in their current defensive midfield trio. This creates a classic “need versus price” scenario, where Liverpool must decide whether Sano’s profile justifies a near-€60m fee in a market that has seen even higher bids for midfielders. The involvement of Andoni Iraola as Liverpool’s new tactical architect further heightens the relevance of a rugged, energetic No.6 who can complement Gravenberch, as highlighted in Football FanCast’s tactical analysis.

Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Liverpool Fans and the Squad

If Liverpool successfully sign Kaishū Sano, the immediate effect on fans will be a renewed sense of optimism about the team’s midfield balance and long-term stability. Sano’s defensive strengths address a criticism that weighed heavily on Liverpool last season, potentially leading to more consistent performances against top opponents and in busy fixture periods, according to Football FanCast’s impact assessment.

For the squad, Sano would provide a traditional No.6 alongside Gravenberch, reducing reliance on players who are not natural in that role and offering a direct replacement if Endō or Bajcetić depart. This could improve defensive resilience, increase recovery rates in midfield, and allow Iraola to implement a more aggressive, high-energy system without leaving the back exposed. However, if the €60m fee proves too high, Liverpool may miss out, leaving them dependent on internal solutions or alternative targets, which could prolong existing midfield vulnerabilities and affect fan confidence in