Sano vows to boost his numbers after Premier League move falls through

Japanese international midfielder Kaishu Sano returned to the pitch for 1. FC Mainz after a summer of transfer speculation, including a reported €60 million Premier League bid, and helped his side to a 5‑0 away victory over Hamburger SV, where he voiced the complex emotions that had lingered since the failed move.

Summer transfer saga

Sano entered his third season at Mainz having impressed over the past two campaigns and at the World Cup, which lifted his profile in Europe. A German newspaper cited a €60 million valuation, sparking intense media interest in a Premier League switch. Ultimately the deal never materialised and he remained with Mainz when the transfer window closed.

Impact on the Hamburger SV win

After the match, Sano admitted, “Honestly, the last few weeks I have been playing football with rather complex emotions.” He added that once on the pitch he must “do what needs to be done” and raise his own evaluation. The midfielder also explained his ambition, saying, “I was targeting a move and told the team about it, but timing is everything.”

He stressed the need for tangible output, stating, “I have to improve my numbers – more goals, more assists – and keep my defensive work at a high standard each game.” The 5‑0 triumph provided an early platform for that promise.

In the opening stages Sano intercepted a build‑up pass and delivered a precise through‑ball to forward Gerald Bäcker for the first goal. Later, in the 25th minute, he reacted to a loose ball, dribbled into the box and attempted a shot that he later described as “something to correct”.

Looking ahead, Sano said, “I want to finish the season as high as possible in the table and let my quality translate into results for the team.” He highlighted the growing responsibility and trust placed on him by the club, insisting that every match must be approached with purpose.

(Kichinosuke Nakano） – Creative2