Crystal palace ready bid to sign Kodai Sano as player-plus-cash move made
Crystal Palace are preparing a bid for NEC Nijmegen midfielder Kodai Sano, but face competition from elsewhere in Europe.
Transfer chiefs at Selhurst Park are set to plan for the future, with Crystal Palace expecting offers for Adam Wharton in the summer.
The England international is among several players who could leave in the coming months, as the Eagles prepare for an exodus.
Nottingham Forest are attempting to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta before the transfer deadline on Monday, with discussions ongoing.
And in a more gutting blow, Oliver Glasner is set to leave Palace in the coming months as he runs down his contract.
Crystal Palace to fight Ajax for Kodai Sano
Sano, 22, has enjoyed a superb Eredivisie season for NEC Nijmegen, and is attracting interest throughout Europe.
The Japan international has scored three goals and has provided four assists from central midfield, and is viewed as a potential Premier League-quality player by Palace. However, the Eagles will face significant competition for Sano’s signature.
| Kodai Sano | Eredivisie 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 20 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Chances created | 22 |
| Successful dribbles | 40 |
| Duels won | 132 |
According to Mike Verweij, Dutch giants Ajax have offered a bid worth around £8.6million, plus centre-back Ahmetcan Kaplan for the midfielder.
Wolfsburg are also credited with interest, with both the Bundesliga club and Palace now preparing bids to compete with Ajax.
However, the 22-year-old’s preference is a move to the Eredivisie side, where he can earn a significant boost to his NEC Nijmegen wages.
Sano leading NEC Nijmegen forward
Sano signed for NEC Nijmegen in 2023, arriving from Japanese side Fagiano Okayama, just a year after he left Yonago Kita HS.
After catching eyes in his first two seasons in Eredivisie, the midfielder has exploded into life this campaign.
With his team in an unlikely third place, the 22-year-old has been instrumental to NEC Nijmegen’s recent form.
Earlier this month, Sano scored a 94th-minute winner against NAC Breda, and he both scored and assisted in a win over AZ Alkmaar on Saturday.
With the midfielder now looking set to leave, the Dutch side will be keen to extract as much value as they can out of a talent for whom many are predicting a big future.