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Looks like it’s done. According to Mohamed Bouhafsi of RMC Sport, Bayern Munich and Lille OSC have agreed a deal for Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches. Sanches has been practically begging for a move away from Germany this summer, and it seems his little outburst at the end of last week has finally earned him the move he wanted.
Here’s the tweet in question:
C’est fait Renato #Sanches au #Losc. Il arrive cet après midi au domaine de Luchin pour passer la visite médicale. Le joueur a donné son accord pour un contrat de 5 ans. Le #Bayern Munich et #Lille ont trouvé un accord avoisinant 25 millions d’euros bonus compris. #RMCsport
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) August 23, 2019
It’s done. Renato #Sanches to #Losc . He arrives this afternoon to the field of Luchin to pass the medical examination. The player has agreed to a 5 year contract. #Bayern Munich and #Lille have found a deal worth around 25 million euros including bonuses. #RMCsport
Bouhafsi certainly isn’t the first to report this news, but he is the most reliable name to report this transfer thus far. Basically, it means that the deal is already done, and we’ll hear about it once Renato heads to France for his medical.
As far as Niko Kovac will be concerned, the departure of Sanches shouldn’t have much of an effect on his plans going forward. While there was once hope that the Croatian could rehabilitate the youngster and integrate him into the lineup, a difficult season for the Bavarians made it impossible for Sanches to get minutes. Unfortunately, there’s a limit to how long you can bench a player before he gets upset and leaves — and Renato reached his limit some time ago.
The transfer fee of €25m is about €10m less than what Bayern paid to Benfica to acquire him back in 2016, which shows the extent to which Sanches has stagnated over the years. Hopefully for the player, the move to France will revitalize his career. Bayern, meanwhile, already had the likes of Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso, and Thiago Alcantara as central midfield options, and welcomed the arrival of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona this summer as further reinforcement. The move is probably best for both parties.
It’s unfortunate that a transfer that seemed like a masterstroke at the time has come to such an ignominious end, but that’s just how the cookie crumbles.
Update
Videos on twitter show Sanches’ arrival at Lille for his medical. Looks like an announcement will be made in the coming hours:
Renato Sanches has arrived in Lille to undergo his medical and sign his contract. [ @ErwannMkg]pic.twitter.com/5glMGbJEM1
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 23, 2019