On Sunday, a delegation from Fenerbahçe was in Nijmegen to watch the match between NEC and sc Heerenveen, where they observed 22-year-old Japanese international Kodai Sano. In addition to Sano, Basar Önal and Ahmetcan Kaplan were also scouted as potential summer reinforcements. It was reported that the head of Fenerbahçe's football department, Ertan Torunoğulları, had a positive impression of the players and rated them highly. Fenerbahçe is seeking a midfield reinforcement due to the anticipated departure of Edson Alvarez and considers Sano an important candidate for that role. Sano joined NEC in August 2023 and has a contract that runs until June 2028. His current market value on Transfermarkt is €12.00m. He has made 28 appearances in the current Eredivisie season, recording 3 goals and 7 assists. Other clubs, such as Ajax, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace, have also been linked with the midfielder.