Bayern Buys Leroy Sane From City For $50.5M
- by Grant Boone
- in Sports
- — Jul 3, 2020
Sane had one year left on his deal at the Etihad Stadium and City have opted to cash in instead of losing the German worldwide for free in 12 months.
Pep Guardiola wished Leroy Sane all the best at "fantastic" Bayern Munich as he confirmed the Germany winger's return to the Bundesliga is nearly done.
Although he can not play for Bayern in the Champions League this season, it is understood Sane will not return to City and has played his final game for the club.
"It looks like it but it's not already done".
"There are still some little issues but it looks like he's going to go to Munich", the City boss said of the 24-year-old's imminent departure.
"I give him big thanks for these years together and I wish him all the best in a fantastic club". He wanted to leave.
"Everyone has their own life and he chose to move on".
City believe they have negotiated the best possible deal for Sane, given his injury record, the fact he could have left as a free agent and the profit they have made on the £37m they paid Schalke for him in 2016.
Sane suffered a torn ACL in the Community Shield against Liverpool in August of past year and did not play again until the 5-0 win against Burnley on June 22nd.
Sane helped City to another top-flight crown the following year and scored 16 goals across all competitions, though links with Bayern became commonplace towards the end of 2018-19.
It is understood City were unwilling to get close to the estimated £20m annual salary Sane will receive from Bayern.
However, the midfielder has not played for the first team since suffering a torn knee ligament in the Community Shield match against Liverpool in August.