Transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that Mainz 05 is interested in 22-year-old Japanese NEC midfielder Kodai Sano. According to Plettenberg, Mainz sees Sano as a potential replacement for his brother Kaishu Sano, who may leave in January. It is currently unknown if Kodai Sano is open to a move to Germany. Sano, who joined NEC in August 2023, has a contract until June 2028. In the current Eredivisie season, he has made 17 appearances, with one goal and three assists. The midfielder has one cap for Japan, and his market value is listed by Transfermarkt as €6.00m. PSV and Ajax have also been linked with Sano.