In a recent Q&A on the Manchester Evening News website, Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City writer for the publication, has been discussing whether he believes Leroy Sane will remain at the club past this summer.
Following a stellar 2018/19 season, in which Sane scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in 31 Premier League appearances, in addition to a further four goals and assists in his eight Champions League fixtures, interest was high in the German left-winger.
Bayern Munich quickly became front-runners to sign the 24-year-old, reportedly offering £70.7 million for the winger, a bid which City turned down.
However, Sane then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Manchester City’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool back in August, and is yet to make another first-team appearance this season.
Despite his injury lay-off, rumours surrounding Sane’s potential departure have not quietened, with Bayern Munich still thought to be keen on taking the £90 million-rated Sane to the Allianz Arena this summer, according to SportBild.
Addressing the uncertainty surrounding Sane’s future, Simon Bajkowski commented:
“Bayern were very, very confident that they’d land him last summer. They were so public about it they cheesed off Guardiola and the club to the point that head coach at the time Niko Kovac had to apologise for his exuberance. There was still talk of signing him when he suffered his injury, and even though that didn’t happen the decision from the player to have his surgery with a doctor known to Bayern and Germany rather than Dr Cugat, Guardiola’s preferred choice that basically every City player has used since 2016, continued to give the Bundesliga side optimism.”
He continued: “The scale hasn’t tipped in City’s favour but the noise from Bayern has quietened and there was some grumblings about the player changing agents. City would obviously still love him to stay and are leaving a contract offer dangling on the slim chance that he does commit. They are also reaching a point where a decision has to be made though. This is the last summer before his current deal runs out so if they are to going to get any money for him, it has to be before next season realistically.”
As such, it would appear that, although a decision has yet to be made by the player or his potential suitors in Bayern Munich, Sane’s future will become known in the not-so-distant future. It would appear, according to Bajkowski’s comments, that Sane with either sign a new deal with Manchester City or else be moved on this summer.