Liverpool willing to pay $69M for World Cup star who cost $3M just two years ago

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool FC NewsTransfer NewsTransfersLiverpool has already signed winger Victor Munoz and defender Jeremy Jacquet this summer, but the Reds are expected to continue their business in the transfer marketLiverpool is being linked with Kaishu Sano(Image: Getty Images)Japanese defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano is being linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool.The 25-year-old became a household name in soccer after scoring against Brazil in the knockout stages of the World Cup. Sano's goal gave Japan a shock lead against the five-time world champions, who recovered to win the enthralling game in Houston, Texas.Sano has become a regular in Japan's starting XI in recent years, earning 16 senior caps to date.

His transfer value has skyrocketed since he joined German side Mainz from Japanese outfit Kashima Antlers for €2.5 million (just shy of $3 million) two years ago.Liverpool is expected to bring in reinforcements in several positions this summer, including defensive midfield. Last month, reports in Japan suggested the Reds were interested in Sano.

Now, German outlet Bild is backing up that transfer rumor.It's claimed Liverpool is willing to spend €60 million ($69 million) to bring Sano to Merseyside this summer.Sano has earned praise for his energy and defensive nous, two things Liverpool dearly missed in the middle of the park last season.He covered more distance than any other player in the Bundesliga during the 2024/25 campaign, his inaugural season in Germany.Sano scored a famous World Cup goal against Brazil(Image: Getty Images)While $69 million is a significant amount of money for a player lacking Premier League experience, it's still nowhere near the amount Manchester City has just paid Nottingham Forest for fellow defensive midfielder Elliott Anderson: £116 million ($155 million).As well as midfield, Liverpool is also expected to strengthen in defense and attack. The Brazilians were later dumped out of the World Cup by Norway in the last 16."I think results are everything, and I'm really disappointed because this team shouldn't have ended like this," said Sano at full-time."But to be beaten like that at the very end makes me feel like we're not good enough, but what we've been doing isn't wrong.