Liverpool continue to reshape their squad following a disappointing end to the Arne Slot era.
Despite heavy investment over the previous two transfer windows, the Reds surrendered their Premier League crown and only narrowly secured a return to the Champions League.
The arrival of Andoni Iraola has triggered a fresh rebuild at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all departed the club this summer, forcing Liverpool to act quickly in the market.
The Reds responded by securing the arrivals of Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz as the first pieces of Iraola’s new project. However, Liverpool’s business is far from complete.
The club remains eager to reinforce the midfield and has identified a new target following his impressive performances on the international stage.
According to Fussballdaten, Liverpool currently lead the race for Kaishu Sano. The 25-year-old dramatically raised his profile during Japan’s run to the knockout stages of the tournament.
His stunning strike against Brazil briefly gave the Samurai Blue the advantage before their eventual elimination.
Sano arrived at the World Cup in excellent form after an outstanding campaign with Mainz. The midfielder started all 34 Bundesliga matches during the 2025-26 season.
He quickly established himself as one of the most reliable players in Germany’s top flight. Liverpool believe those qualities make him an ideal fit for Iraola’s high-intensity system.
The club also views him as a long-term successor to fellow Japanese international Wataru Endo in the middle of the pitch.
Discussions over personal terms have already begun as Liverpool look to strengthen their position. However, the race remains far from over.
Arsenal and Manchester United continue to monitor the situation closely and both clubs remain interested in making their own move.
Mainz currently value Sano at between €50 million and €60 million as interest in the midfielder continues to grow.
🚨 Liverpool are leading the race to sign Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano following his impressive performances at the 2026 World Cup.
The Reds have already made contact with the 25-year-old’s representatives as they step up their interest.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Borussia… pic.twitter.com/WTDZyoKgOJ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 8, 2026
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