Mainz set to acquire Japanese defensive midfielder Sota Kawasaki | OneFootball

Sponichi reports that Bundesliga outfit Mainz 05 are set to acquire Japanese defensive midfielder Sota Kawasaki of Kyoto Sanga. The very same news source reliably reported on Mainz’s acquisition of Kaishu Sano last summer. According to the Japanese website, the 23-year-old has already said goodbye to teammates and fans at a Sunday club event. The report also notes that Kawasaki has declined a chance to represent his country at senior level in order to complete the transfer.

Kawasaki doesn’t exactly fit specific requirements of what Mainz head coach Bo Henrisksen is looking for in his squad. Henriksen desires a ten to work above Sano and his double-six partner Nadiem Amiri. The move thus seems a bit curious, possibly even casting doubt on Mainz’s insistence that Amiri will not be sold ahead of next season.

Kawasaki may simply wish to join the Rheinhessen due to their excellent reputation for helping Japanese talent develop. Famous Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto, capped 29 times at senior level, worked with the Palatinate club for three seasons before moving to Newcastle. The even more famous Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki also spent five seasons playing for Mainz and Stuttgart before moving to Leicester City.

Okazaki liked the area so much that he settled down in Mainz after retiring and founded a local football club specifically aimed at recurring Japanese talent. Sano has just completed an amazing season under Henriksen, pumping his estimated market value up to €20m from €1.5m over the last nine months.

Kawasaki left little doubt that he would be joining Mainz in his Sponichi quoted statements. Whether Kawasaki refers to a Sano or Okazaki when referencing a  “nearby role model” remains unclear. Kawasaki’s “crossing the ocean” is also likely meant to be interpreted in a metaphorical sense./

“I have a great role model nearby,” Kawasaki is quoted as saying. “I don’t just want to cross the ocean, I want to focus on what I can show and contribute there.”

GGFN | Peter Weis