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Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Manchester City star Leroy Sane has been widely publicized to the point where even the front office types in Bavaria have acknowledged that it really is a “thing.”
A report out of England, however, indicated that the 23-year-old Germany international might be looking to extend his stay with Manchester City. The Manchester Evening News indicated that Sane and Manchester City officials will meet this upcoming week to try and iron out a new contract.
Manchester City officials will sit down with Leroy Sane this week to try to thrash out a new contract. The Blues will resist attempts by Bayern Munich to steal the Germany winger – and the Bundesliga champions have NOT tabled an offer for the 23-year-old. Sane has a deal that expires in two years, but Pep Guardiola wants him tied down on longer terms, even though he was a peripheral figure as City wrapped up the domestic treble. The manager has always said publicly that he wants Sane to stay, but his lack of involvement has alerted several top clubs, with Bayern at the forefront.
The threat of Bayern seems to have spurred Manchester City to expedite its plans to lock down Sane.
Despite reports elsewhere Bayern have not made any offers, and there has been unfounded talk that City have slapped a £90million price tag on him. But with Bayern president Uli Hoeness saying they would not pay more than £70million, the valuations of the two clubs are certainly a long way apart. Now club sources have revealed that they will sit down with Sane’s representatives in the coming week.
Should Sane opt to stay with Manchester City, it would be a blow to many Bayern fans, who were excited at the thought of the speedy winger racing down the flanks in Munich. In the transfer game, however, things change by the hour, so we’ll see how the reported talks between Sane and Manchester City develop over the next week and if the two sides can reach an accord.
Update: 8:45AM EST
Sam Lee, a correspondent for Goal, is considered by many to be a reliable source for Manchester City and has corroborated the report.
City will have contract talks with Sane next week as they look to ward off Bayern Munich interest https://t.co/noUHDEJld1
— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) May 25, 2019
Per Lee, Manchester City is eager to keep Sane, but only if he extends his deal. Also — and interestingly — Sane’s mother seems eager for her son to move back to Germany.
The Premier League champions would be willing to sell this summer, but only if the 23-year-old makes it known that he will not extend his contract, and if an offer of €100m (£88m/$112m) or more arrives.
City’s preferred option is to keep the Germany international at the Etihad Stadium, however, and they will hold talks with Sane’s representatives - his father and a UK-based agent - in the coming days. There is now some hope at the club that they will finally be able to reach an agreement and secure the winger’s future.
However, previous negotiations have not been straightforward, with Sane’s mother seen to be determined to derail talks and force a move to Bayern. Sources have even told Goal that they believe stories linking Bayern with an interest in Sane have been leaked to the German media.