Manchester City star Leroy Sane ‘left in limbo’ over move to Bayern Munich due to coronavirus crisis
Bayern Munich‘s pursuit of Leroy Sane has been dealt a serious blow due to the coronavirus crisis, according to reports.
The Bundesliga champions are long-term admirers of the Manchester City winger and were looking to table a £100m bid during the 2019 summer transfer window.
Despite Sane picking up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in August, which has ruled him out of the entire 2019/20 season to date, Bayern have kept their interest in the 24-year-old and were looking to try again for the German this summer.
Manchester City winger Leroy Sane’s move to Bayern Munich is in doubt due to coronavirus
However, according to Goal, the coronavirus crisis means that football clubs’ chances of making big-money signings this year have been seriously reduced and Sane may prove to be one bridge too far for the Bundesliga club.
One area of hope for Bayern is Sane’s contract situation at the Premier League champions, with the German set to enter his final twelve months of his Manchester City contract in June.
If the winger continues to stall over a new deal, City may be forced to cash in on Sane or risk losing him on a free transfer in just over a year’s time.
Sane was on Bayern’s radar before a serious knee injury in August ruled him out for the season
The coronavirus outbreak came at just the wrong time in Sane’s career, as he was very close to making his Manchester City comeback following his serious knee injury.
The 24-year-old had returned to full training with Pep Guardiola’s team at the end of January and was readying himself for Manchester City’s end of season run-in, which included the club’s defence of the FA Cup and their quest to win their first ever Champions League trophy.
Sane even appeared for the club’s under-23 team in a fixture against Arsenal’s youth team at Emirates Stadium.
Sane made a return to action during an under-23s fixture against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium
But the coronavirus crisis means Bayern’s finances could suffer and the club may not sign him
The German winger revealed that he desperately wants the 2019/20 season completed at some point so he can get back on the pitch as quickly as possible.
Reacting to the global health crisis, Sane told the German FA website: ‘I can only say that I really miss football and I want to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.
‘We have no choice but to trust the experts and be ready when the starting signal is given again.
‘If it continues, then probably with ghost games. But that would also be perfectly fine. It is important to find solutions on how not to treat everyone’s health lightly.
Sane is a key man for Manchester City and helped the club win the 2018 and 2019 league titles
Sane was also awarded the 2018 PFA Player of the Year Award for some impressive displays
‘From a purely sporting point of view, it would of course be fairest if the season was still played out somehow.’
Sane joined Manchester City in 2016 during Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge of the club. He has made 139 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions, scoring 39 goals.
The German was also awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year Award for the 2017/18 season, when City won the Premier League by registering a record-breaking 100 points.
