Hannover 96 have turned down a club-record offer from SC Paderborn for Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota. The Bundesliga newcomers tabled a €2.5 million bid for the 26-year-old, which would have shattered their previous transfer spending limit of €1 million.
Yokota only joined Hannover on a permanent basis this summer, moving from Belgian side Gent for €2 million after a successful loan spell. The midfielder has established himself as a reliable attacking threat in Germany’s second tier, scoring nine goals across the last two 2. Bundesliga seasons for both Kaiserslautern and Hannover.
Despite securing promotion to the top flight, Paderborn have never paid more than seven figures for a player in their entire history. Their attempt to secure Yokota represents a significant shift in ambition as they prepare for the challenges of Bundesliga football, though Hannover’s immediate rejection suggests the figure fell short of their valuation.
Managing director Sebastian Lange acknowledged the approach but suggested the club would not overextend financially without certainty over the player’s suitability. “It’s just a normal process of sounding out prices. It costs nothing to ask questions, and you’ll get answers that you don’t always like,” he said. “We’re in a position to make substantial offers. Whether we’ll go ahead with it is another matter. It has to be the right fit.”
Hannover’s refusal indicates they value the Japan international highly, particularly given their recent investment to secure his services permanently. Having paid €2 million to Gent just weeks ago, the 2. Bundesliga side appear determined to retain a key attacking option rather than accept a modest profit.
Whether Paderborn return with an improved offer before the transfer window closes remains uncertain, though Lange’s comments suggest any future bid would need to meet strict criteria regarding both financial value and tactical fit.