An update on the summer transfer plans of German giants Bayern Munich has been forthcoming online this weekend, with Manchester City star Leroy Sane remaining the club’s priority target.
Bayern links
Rumours linking Bundesliga champions Bayern with a swoop for Sane were rampant last summer.
On the back of a somewhat hit-and-miss campaign at the Etihad, during which explosive wide-man Sane often found himself behind the likes of Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva in the attacking pecking order of Pep Guardiola, the 24-year-old was hotly-tipped to make a return to his home country.
The respective Bayern departures of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, meanwhile, saw reinforcements out wide emerge as a priority for the Bavarian powerhouse ahead of the current campaign.
As such, Sane, on the back of a challenging season, and with past experience of the Bundesliga, looked an ideal fit at the Allianz Arena.
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Leroy Sane of Manchester City celebrates after he scores his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester City at John Smith’s Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Unsurprisingly, however, Manchester City were not ready to give up their German international without a fight.
On his day, Sane still stands as one of the most electrifying wingers in European football, with Citizens boss Pep Guardiola having confirmed in July that the Premier League champions remained hopeful of tying the former Schalke man down to a new deal:
‘We want him to stay and there is an offer waiting to talk with his agents to extend his contract.’
‘He is a guy who I appreciate a lot. I like him a lot. I think he has an incredible gap to be better in terms of being connected in the game.’
‘I have said two or three times that we want him and we want him to stay.’
Priority target
As such, in the end, Sane stayed put.
His subsequent start to the new season, though, proved an absolute nightmare.
After being handed a start in the Community Shield versus Liverpool, the winger ruptured his ACL, an injury which has confined him to the sidelines ever since.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: Leroy Sane of Manchester City reacts to an injury during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 4, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
His injury, however, has not brought a halt to the rumours that Bayern remain keen on Sane’s signature.
In fact, just last month, it was claimed that the two parties had come to an agreement on the terms of a 5-year contract.
And, as outlined above, an update on Bayern’s plans for the summer window, unsurprisingly including Sane, has been forthcoming online over the last 24 hours.
In news first reported by German football expert Raphael Honigstein, and since backed by the reliable Christian Falk, it has been confirmed that Hansi Flick’s men are ‘concentrating their efforts’ on finding a deal with Manchester City for Sane.
With just a year remaining on his current deal at the Etihad, meanwhile, Bayern are thought to be hopeful of a cut-price swoop.
Havertz deal unlikely
In other news relating to the Bavarians, an insight into the club’s chances of landing Bayer Leverkusen sensation Kai Havertz is also provided.
On the back of a scintillating spell of form since the return of the Bundesliga campaign, attacking midfielder Havertz has been named as a target for a host of clubs across Europe over recent weeks.
The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all thought to be keen on his signature.
And, if the latest word on Bayern’s interest proves accurate, then the aforementioned list of clubs all appear more likely eventual landing spots for the 21-year-old.
There is said to be only an ‘outside chance’ that the Allianz outfit would be ‘willing or able’ to stump up the kind of sum required to cover both Havertz’s transfer fee and wages this summer.
Instead, along with Sane, Bayern are likely to target reinforcements at right-back:
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) June 12, 2020
Man City’s priority signing this summer remains a centre-back – ESPN
Man City reportedly ‘ready to form guard of honour’ for Liverpool
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