PSV has shown interest in Kodai Sano. NEC reportedly wants between fifteen and twenty million euros for him. Carlos Aalbers, technical director of NEC, stated that clubs wanting to acquire a starting player from NEC in January must pay extra, explaining that it is mid-season and the club is working on something special. Aalbers indicated that NEC has a good price in mind for Sano but did not specify the amount, adding that he thinks most clubs cannot afford him. The technical director also mentioned he does not rule out Sano moving directly to a top club after NEC.

According to Voetbalprimeur.nl, Kodai Sano was previously seriously considered by PSV as a potential replacement for Joey Veerman, but a transfer for Veerman did not happen.

De Telegraaf reports that NEC has set an asking price of twenty million euros for Kodai Sano. Rik Elfrink, writing for Eindhovens Dagblad, reported that PSV will not pay such an amount. PSV has Sano as a priority target if Joey Veerman leaves for Fenerbahçe. Elfrink wrote that for prices between 15 and 20 million euros, PSV will not buy Sano and will look for other options. Sano is considered the ideal successor at PSV if Veerman leaves. NEC would prefer that Sano does not leave this winter.

Kodai Sano, a 22-year-old Japanese midfielder from NEC, is on the list at PSV as a potential successor to Joey Veerman. Although PSV has already been in contact with Sano's entourage, there has not yet been a bid for the midfielder. NEC would reportedly seek an amount described as gigantic to let Sano depart in the winter. While Sano is considered a very interesting player, PSV would never pay between 15 and 20 million euros for him and would definitely look for other options at that price. Sano's contract with NEC runs until June 2028, and he has one cap for Japan. In the current 2025/2026 Eredivisie season, he has made 17 appearances, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists. His market value is estimated by Transfermarkt to be €6.00m. Ajax has also been linked with the midfielder.