Manchester City winger Sané has been confirmed as the subject of a reported £70.5 million bid from German champions Bayern Munich, according to Goal.com.
Despite starring throughout his Manchester City career, 2017-18 PFA Young Player of the Year Leroy Sané has become a peripheral figure this season at the Etihad Stadium, fueling rumours of a looming potential exit.
Sané was largely ousted by manager Pep Guardiola over the course of City’s 2018-19 domestic treble-winning campaign but often delivered spectacular performances in short substitute appearances. After a summer in which he was shockingly left out of the German national team’s 23-man World Cup squad, questions have emerged about the winger’s mentality and work ethic.
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Bayern has nonetheless confirmed their interest in the mercurial German wide man, and Die Mannschaft coach Joachim Löw has voiced his support for Sané’s potential move to Bavaria to replace outgoing stars Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry.
Sané would undoubtedly represent a fantastic signing for the Bundesliga outfit, who look to rebuild toward the future due to an ageing squad, recent struggles in the Champions League, and a tighter-than-expected title challenge from rivals Borussia Dortmund. Sané would undoubtedly be Bayern’s headlining star, but would fall out of the domestic spotlight he enjoys in the Premier League.
Even though concerns exist about Sané and Guardiola’s relationship, as well as the potential to turn a massive profit off of the initial £37 million fee City paid to Schalke for the player in 2016, the Blues should do whatever is necessary to keep the 23-year old winger in Manchester. Although he may not be the perfect fit for Guardiola, his individual talent warrants a regular place in the starting XI and should be a cornerstone of the club’s future.
With midfield stalwart David Silva turning 34 and entering the final season of his deal, 2018-19 Manchester City Player of the Season Bernardo Silva should expect to shift into a central role on a more long-term basis, which would open up a spot out wide for either Sané or Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez, City’s only major signing of the last two transfer windows, was Guardiola’s preferred choice during the end of the campaign because of City’s transition to playing with inverted wingers, shifting FWA Player of the Year Raheem Sterling to Sané’s preferred left flank.
However, Mahrez’s first campaign in sky blue after his club-record £60 million moves from Leicester City was largely underwhelming and Sané has played on the right earlier in his career, opening up the possibility of regaining Guardiola’s favour should he remain at the club and work hard in the summer.
At just 23, Sané has the potential to be at the heart of this City side as well as many more in the years to come. With the club at the absolute peak of the English game, Sané has already been a part of history over the last two seasons in Manchester and has the potential to create even more moving forward under Guardiola’s tutelage, who is now the most decorated active manager in world football.
With City eyeing to improve upon this season’s success and capture the club’s first Champions League title, the Blues need to do whatever is necessary to retain Sané. A uniquely gifted player with world-class pace, dribbling ability, and an eye for goal, the German is already an absolute star of world football and would be a difficult loss for City to cope with, even if a replacement such as João Félix could be secured.
This City team is special, having already proven themselves as one of the best in English history, and keeping together its key pieces, such as Sané, could be vital in their quest to establish themselves as one of the most dominant teams of the modern era in the years to come.