Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s ambition to bolster their midfield options before the recent transfer deadline encountered a setback as their pursuit of Japan international Kodai Sano was thwarted. Despite their proactive approach, including a substantial bid, Forest found themselves unable to secure the services of the talented midfielder from NEC Nijmegen.
Carlos Aalbers said: “We managed it internally. I first talk to Kodai, then his management. After that, I tell the clubs that we won’t accept any offers. Right now, we’re on a journey towards something great, and we want to finish it together.” He added: “€20 million is, of course, a huge sum. The advantage is that we have Marcel Boekhoorn (a financial backer of the club) on hand. Without him, we couldn’t have refused such amounts. At the end of the transfer window, Boekhoorn told us even if they offer double, a transfer is not something we want. It’s understandable that Sano wants to make a move. Four clubs have made offers for him, including Premier League and Bundesliga clubs. We certainly want to work towards a good transfer for him, but the timing wasn’t right. He’s been flexible and never pushed back. A South American player in his situation might have grabbed me by the throat and stopped showing up for training. That’s why we’re going to offer Sano a top tier transfer next summer.”
Forest’s interest in Sano was part of a broader strategy to enhance their squad depth, particularly in the midfield area. The club had already made several attempts to secure new talent, including three offers for Celtic’s Arne Engels, but these efforts did not materialize into successful signings. The pursuit of Sano saw Forest outbid Dutch giants Ajax, offering €20 million (£17m) compared to Ajax’s €15 million (£13m) bid. However, NEC Nijmegen remained firm in their decision to retain Sano, citing their long-term vision and the backing of financial supporter Marcel Boekhoorn as pivotal factors in their refusal to sell.
Sano’s situation reflects the complexities of modern football transfers, where financial considerations and club ambitions often intersect. NEC Nijmegen’s commitment to their project and the player’s understanding of the situation have set the stage for a potential move in the future. For Forest, the focus will now shift to exploring other avenues to strengthen their squad as they navigate the challenges of the Premier League.
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