Sano sidelined as NEC faces Olympiakos, PSV prepares swift signing

NEC entered the Champions League-voorronde against Olympiakos Piraeus without Kodai Sano, the Japanse midfielder who was expected to start on Tuesday evening. The club had counted on Sano to fill a midfield gap, but his departure leaves trainer Dick Schreuder to reshuffle his line‑up.

De trainer initially planned to deploy Sano in the first duel with Olympiakos, but on match day his name must be crossed out. With Noé Lebreton, Isak Hansen‑Aarøen and Jamiro Monteiro available, the Nijmegenaren still have alternatives, yet the loss of the Japanner weakens their central options.

Kodai Sano left the training camp of the Nijmegen club after NEC reached an oral agreement with PSV for his transfer. The Eindhovenaren have been tracking the 22‑year‑old Japanner for months, and the deal now appears close to completion.

NEC coach Schreuder cuts press conference short to prioritize training before Olympiakos clash

For PSV the arrival of Sano is a major step on the transfer market. The landskampioen kept a quiet summer, but media report a fixed fee of fifteen million euros, with bonuses that could raise the total to at least seventeen million euros.

PSV had shown interest last year, but a move did not materialise then. This summer Hoffenheim seemed the likely destination, yet the Bundesliga side switched its focus to Nathan De Cat, reopening the door for the Eindhoven club.

Met a medical assessment scheduled for Wednesday, the Eindhovenaren aim to clear Sano officially. Once the examination is passed, the transfer is expected to be finalised, completing the long‑awaited move for the Japanese international.