Liverpool want deal for £50m FIFA World Cup workhorse midfielder

Big changes are coming to the Liverpool midfield this summer.

We could see both Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones leave the club as uncertainty reigns over their contract situations.

Mac Allister is out of contract in 2028 and no talks current exist over a new deal. Jones meanwhile could be off to Inter Milan or another Premier League club with his terms expiring in 2027.

Any potential departures will mean new players coming into the club. The midfield underperformed for Arne Slot in the 2025/26 season and it will be a key area under consideration for new head coach Andoni Iraola and sporting director Richard Hughes.

LFC looking at Japan midfielder Sano

It is now being claimed in Japan that the outgoing Premier League champions are eyeing up a deal for FIFA World Cup workhorse Kaishu Sano.

The 25-year-old Mainz midfielder ran more than 11km in every game he played at the tournament - per Nikkan Sports - and scored the only Japanese goal in the round of 32 defeat to Brazil.

His German club have got him contracted until 2028 and reportedly value the hard-working No6 at around €50m to €60m (£43m to £52m).

Liverpool along with Manchester United, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are all reported to be keen in the midfielder per the report - as cited by Bulinews.

Mainz value Sano around £50m

“Liverpool are showing strong interest in Mainz and Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano, according to Nikkan Sports,” the report reads.

“The Japanese outlet also names Manchester United, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund as suitors for the 25-year-old midfielder.

“Bild speculated in March that the Bundesliga outfit could command a fee in the region of €50-60 million for their highly-rated midfielder, who has previously been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt and Brentford FC.”

Kaishu Sano: Situation summary

Kaishu Sano is a 25-year-old Japan international midfielder for Mainz, a right-footed holding player who joined from Kashima Antlers and has become an automatic pick in the Bundesliga.

In 2025/26 he logged 34 league appearances with 1 goal and 2 assists, plus regular minutes in Europe and for Japan, underlining his status as a high-usage anchor rather than a headline creator.

On the pitch, Sano profiles as a modern six: positionally disciplined, strong in defensive duels and extremely reliable in possession. He wins a high volume of tackles and aerial duels, covers huge distances and links play with secure short-to-medium passing rather than risky progression, acting as the stabilising presence behind more expressive teammates.

His current deal in Mainz runs to 2028, with his market value now pushing towards the €40m mark, which gives the club a strong hand.

Given his profile and two-season Bundesliga sample, a logical next step would be a Champions League-level move within Germany or to the Premier League, though any buyer would likely need to pay a premium for a plug-and-play defensive midfielder in his prime.