Bayern Munich send clear transfer warning to Arsenal target Leroy Sane
Leroy Sane is in the middle of a contract stand-off with Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty) Bayern Munich have warned Leroy Sane they won’t bow to his financial demands and are prepared to let him leave on a free transfer if a new contract cannot be agreed. The Germany international’s current deal expires next month and a host of top European clubs are circling with intent. Arsenal are in the market for attacking reinforcements and Sane’s relationship with Mikel Arteta – the pair worked closely together at Manchester City – is likely to put the Gunners in good stead. A succession of injury problems has meant Sane has made only 104 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern since he joined them in a £45million move from City five years ago. The 29-year-old has, however, played a full part in Bayern’s triumphant Bundesliga campaign and run to the Champions League quarter final this term, playing 47 times and scoring 14 goals in all competitions. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Arsenal have had mixed success recruiting former City players in recent years with Oleksandr Zinchenko deemed largely surplus to requirements, Gabriel Jesus forced to spend a significant period of time on the treatment table and Raheem Sterling’s loan move an unmitigated disaster. Bayern, meanwhile, insist their preference would be to retain Sane’s services but have now publicly admitted that doing so would not be a straightforward process. Leroy Sane has been a key part of Bayern’s success this season (Credits: AP) ‘Our wish is still to extend with Leroy,’ the club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, said on Friday. ‘But we’ve also agreed on a framework. And if that framework were to be exceeded, it would become difficult. It’s now up to Leroy.’ Sane recently switched agents, heightening the suspicion that he is angling for a move but president Herbert Hainer and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen insist that may not be the case. ‘I don’t know his motives [for switching agents], I have to say,’ said Hainer earlier this week. Mikel Arteta worked with Leroy Sane at Manchester City (Picture: Getty) ‘We look after the player and the person Leroy Sané, not his agent. I can’t judge what his reasons were. He has said often enough that he would like to stay here in Munich. ‘I think you can tell that he really likes the team and appreciates the coach. When you’ve seen him play in the last few months, it’s not just his goals but also his joy of playing that he’s rediscovered. ‘I’m an optimist and confident by nature. We’ve almost always reached an agreement with Pini Zahavi, be it with regard to Robert Lewandowski or David Alaba. Of course he’s a tough negotiator, but so are other agents.’ Dreesen added: ‘First of all, I believe that Leroy is having a really good season and has won over many critics of his game, That hasn’t always been the case in the past five years.’ Asked what his gut feeling was with regard to a contract extension, the CEO replied: ‘It’s like the weather, things can change. After the season Sanéehas had, Bayern fans will certainly be hoping for sunshine.’
Bayern Munich have warned Leroy Sane they won’t bow to his financial demands and are prepared to let him leave on a free transfer if a new contract cannot be agreed.
The Germany international’s current deal expires next month and a host of top European clubs are circling with intent.
Arsenal are in the market for attacking reinforcements and Sane’s relationship with Mikel Arteta – the pair worked closely together at Manchester City – is likely to put the Gunners in good stead.
A succession of injury problems has meant Sane has made only 104 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern since he joined them in a £45million move from City five years ago.
The 29-year-old has, however, played a full part in Bayern’s triumphant Bundesliga campaign and run to the Champions League quarter final this term, playing 47 times and scoring 14 goals in all competitions.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Arsenal have had mixed success recruiting former City players in recent years with Oleksandr Zinchenko deemed largely surplus to requirements, Gabriel Jesus forced to spend a significant period of time on the treatment table and Raheem Sterling’s loan move an unmitigated disaster.
Bayern, meanwhile, insist their preference would be to retain Sane’s services but have now publicly admitted that doing so would not be a straightforward process.
‘Our wish is still to extend with Leroy,’ the club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, said on Friday.
‘But we’ve also agreed on a framework. And if that framework were to be exceeded, it would become difficult. It’s now up to Leroy.’
Sane recently switched agents, heightening the suspicion that he is angling for a move but president Herbert Hainer and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen insist that may not be the case.
‘I don’t know his motives [for switching agents], I have to say,’ said Hainer earlier this week.
‘We look after the player and the person Leroy Sané, not his agent. I can’t judge what his reasons were. He has said often enough that he would like to stay here in Munich.
‘I think you can tell that he really likes the team and appreciates the coach. When you’ve seen him play in the last few months, it’s not just his goals but also his joy of playing that he’s rediscovered.
‘I’m an optimist and confident by nature. We’ve almost always reached an agreement with Pini Zahavi, be it with regard to Robert Lewandowski or David Alaba. Of course he’s a tough negotiator, but so are other agents.’
Dreesen added: ‘First of all, I believe that Leroy is having a really good season and has won over many critics of his game, That hasn’t always been the case in the past five years.’
Asked what his gut feeling was with regard to a contract extension, the CEO replied: ‘It’s like the weather, things can change. After the season Sanéehas had, Bayern fans will certainly be hoping for sunshine.’
