Tottenham Hotspur are one of several Premier League clubs eyeing a Japan international, but the player will not come cheap this summer.
Tottenham have spent £185m on revamping their midfield this summer, signing Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes from Newcastle and West Ham United respectively.
However, Spurs insiders have claimed that the Lilywhites could add another midfielder to their squad over the coming weeks if they offload Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall.
It has now emerged that a Bundesliga midfielder, who found the back of the net at the recently concluded World Cup, has emerged as a target for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.
Tottenham battling Arsenal and more for Kaishu Sano
According to a report in Bild (via Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur have expressed an interest in Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano.
The 25-year-old defensive midfielder has come on leaps and bounds since joining the Bundesliga side from J-League side Kashima Antlers two years ago.
His displays in Germany and at the World Cup, where he scored in the Blue Samurai’s 2-1 loss to Brazil in the round of 32, have brought Sano to the attention of Spurs, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Liverpool.
However, none of the four Premier League clubs has made advances so far, with the report revealing that Mainz value him at €60m (£51.4m).
Mainz director opens door to Sano’s departure
Amidst interest from the Premier League, the report also includes what Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel said about the Japanese international at the start of last month.
He confirmed at the time that Sano is attracting interest and the club will study any offers that arrive for the midfielder.
Heidel said about the 25-year-old: “There’s no doubt there are interested parties. It’s well known that England is the league where outstanding players usually move. Our big advantage is that the player still has a long-term contract, so we’re under no pressure at all and won’t be rushing anything.
“If a club comes along with an offer, we’ll consider it. If, in our view, it’s not high enough for the player’s market value, then it’s also possible that Kaishū will stay with us longer. As of today, everything is still open. But we know, of course, that we have a player who is generating a lot of interest.”