VfL Wolfsburg is reportedly preparing a bid for Kodai Sano, a 22-year-old Japanese midfielder from NEC. Crystal Palace is also said to be preparing an offer for the player. Ajax has also shown interest, reportedly making a bid of ten million euros plus the transfer rights for Ahmetcan Kaplan. NEC's asking price is understood to be twenty million euros. NEC does not intend for the player to leave this winter. The player's agent confirmed that Sano will not leave under the current conditions and is expected to remain at NEC until the summer. The player's contract is valid until 2028.
Sano joined NEC in August 2023. He has one cap for Japan and has scored 3 goals and provided 4 assists in 20 Eredivisie appearances this season. In addition to the previously mentioned clubs, FSV Mainz 05, Feyenoord, and PSV have also been linked with the player. NEC's valuation was consistently reported to be between €15 million and €20 million throughout December 2025 and January 2026. PSV reportedly considered this range to be excessive. His current market value, according to Transfermarkt, is €6.00m.
