Christian Heidel has insisted that Mainz 05 are under no obligation to sell Kaishu Sano this summer, even as the midfielder continues to be linked with a move to Liverpool.
Sano, 25, scored for Japan against Brazil at this summer's World Cup and has since been linked with a switch to Anfield. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also reported to be among the clubs interested in the midfielder.
Heidel: We don't have to sell Kaishu
Asked about the speculation in an interview with BILD, Heidel refused to comment on Liverpool's reported interest but made Mainz's position clear.
"You know we like to prepare transfers in such a way that the public only finds out once we announce them," he said. "And usually, we manage to do just that! I won't comment on any rumours or discuss any of the clubs mentioned."
"We don't have to sell Kaishu; we can afford to keep him. If he stays, there will be a lot of happy people in the squad, the club, and the surrounding community. But it's the same as always at Mainz 05: if an offer comes along that makes us gasp for breath, we have to consider it!"
Premier League move possible
Heidel had previously hinted that Sano could end up in the Premier League if Mainz were to cash in on the Japan international this summer.
"There's no doubt there are interested parties," he told BILD, as quoted by Sport Witness. "It's well known that England is the league where outstanding players usually move."
"Our big advantage is that the player still has a long-term contract, so we're under no pressure at all and won't be rushing anything. If a club comes along with an offer, we'll consider it. If, in our view, it's not high enough for the player's market value, then it's also possible that Kaishu will stay with us longer. As of today, everything is still open. But we know, of course, that we have a player who is generating a lot of interest."
