World Cup
TSG Hoffenheim bids €15m for NEC midfielder Kodai Sano
German club TSG Hoffenheim has tabled a €15 million offer for 22‑year‑old NEC Nijmegen midfielder Kodai Sano, Mounir Boualin and Omroep Gelderland noted, as Dutch side deliberates the bid. NEC have pledged to cooperate on a summer transfer after a winter move to Ajax collapsed and coach Dick Schreuder secured third place and a Champions League qualifying spot.
Hoffenheim is now working seriously on acquiring the playmaker, but NEC are expected to reject the opening offer because they seek a higher fee. The exact asking price has not been disclosed.
Kodai Sano is a two‑time Japan international whose contract runs until mid‑2028 at De Goffert. The midfielder remains a key figure for Schreuder’s side.
Since signing in the summer of 2023, NEC earned only €450,000 from Fagiano Okayama for Sano’s transfer rights. The Japanese midfielder has already made 98 appearances for the Nijmegen club.
A move to the Bundesliga would pit Kodai against his brother Kaishu Sano, who has been a regular for FSV Mainz since mid‑2024 and is regarded as one of the team’s stalwarts.
Earlier this summer Hoffenheim paid €16 million, including bonuses, to FC Twente to release Mats Rots, showing the German side’s willingness to invest in talent.