NEC Nijmegen have no intention of allowing Kodai Sano to leave this winter. As reported by Mike Verweij, the side have rejected a bid of €12.5m from Ajax for the Japanese star. Ajax are reportedly ready to submit another bid, but the chances of NEC accepting that are incredibly slim. The side are enjoying a fantastic season in the Eredivisie and clearly want to keep a key player like Sano at the side until the end of the current campaign.
Sano, now 22, joined NEC back in 2023 on a free transfer from Fagiano Okayama. He has since become a full Japanese international and one of the best midfielders in the Dutch top flight. Plenty of sides have shown interest in Sano this winter, but with the window closing today, the chances of him leaving are incredibly slim. Sano has played 22 games for NEC this season, with three goals and four assists from midfield. NEC are currently sitting in third place in the Eredivisie, level on points with Ajax but ahead on games won and goal difference. NEC also have a game in hand over the Amsterdam club.
