Report: Liverpool showing 'strong interest' in move for £52m-rated midfielder

Liverpool’s summer rebuild under Andoni Iraola is increasingly focused on midfield, with reports linking the club to Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, described as showing “strong interest.” Sano’s profile rose after his standout World Cup display for Japan against Brazil, where he scored the opening goal in the last-32 tie at Houston Stadium. He finished low into the far corner after capitalising on a loose pass, but Japan still lost following Casemiro’s equaliser and Gabriel Martinelli’s injury-time winner. Mainz have two years left on their contract with Sano and are reportedly only willing to consider offers of €50–60 million (£43–52m). Alongside Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Borussia Dortmund are said to be monitoring the 25-year-old.