Manchester City have been linked with a shock move for a former player in what would be a surprising transfer. After a wretched run of form saw them fall down the table, things are looking a bit better for Pep Guardiola’s side after they recorded back-to-back wins over Leicester City and West Ham and are now just two points off fourth-placed Chelsea.
Still, with plenty of injury problems affecting City, they have been tipped to be fairly active in the January transfer window. A £120 million spending spree was recently mentioned but a surprise report claims the Premier League champions are ready to bring back one of their former players.
City re-signed Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer in the summer but according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, the Blues are keen on ex winger Leroy Sane.
Sane spent four-years in England, winning back-to-back Premier League titles and the FA Cup and scoring 39 goals in 135 games after signing from Schalke for a fee of £37 million in 2016. The PFA Young Player of the Year left in 2020 to head back to Germany with Bayern Munich, where he’s won three Bundesliga titles.
But he is now in the final six months of his contract at Bayern and is able to speak to foreign clubs about a pre-contract. This season, Sane has made just seven starts in 17 games in the Bundesliga and Champions League under former teammate Vincent Kompany and has five goals to his name in all competitions. Leroy Sane has interest from Premier League clubs, including ex side Manchester City. Image: Gett
According to the report, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are all keeping tabs on Sane – but City are also monitoring his situation.
The German is still well thought of by City’s supporters for the electric wing play he produced at the Etihad Stadium and has gone on record to say that Guardiola helped him “reach a very high level” The Catalan was seen consoling Sane after City knocked Bayern out of the Champions League in 2023.
Despite rumours persisting, Guardiola has admitted he is unsure of City will bring in any new signings and noted how difficult the market can be in the middle of the season.
“I don’t know right now,” he said in a recent press conference.
“It’s not easy, it will not be easy. Maybe we’ll sign, or maybe we don’t sign anyone. So I think the club has to be wise, don’t do it for doing it, just to add players.
“Of course for the situation that we have and from the perspective of the players that have had consistent injuries for many, many, many times, of course the club has to do it. But I don’t know if it will be possible…”
The potential return of Sane would certainly be a shock move. While he was a key player during his first spell at the Etihad, his departure was seen as a necessary step at the time.
However, with City facing a challenging period in their history, with the potential for a significant squad overhaul in the summer, a reunion with Sane could be an intriguing option for Guardiola.
The German winger possesses the pace, skill, and attacking flair that has been a hallmark of City’s success under Guardiola. His ability to create chances and score goals would be a valuable asset to the squad, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of some of City’s current attacking options.
However, a move for Sane would not be without its challenges. The competition for places in City’s attack is fierce, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish all vying for starting positions.
Furthermore, Sane’s recent form at Bayern Munich has been somewhat inconsistent, raising questions about his current level of performance.
Despite these potential hurdles, the prospect of Sane returning to City is undoubtedly an intriguing one. It would represent a bold move by Guardiola, a return to familiar territory for the player, and a potential game-changer for the club.
The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the future of both the player and the club.
Manchester City have been linked with a shock move for a former player, a transfer that has taken many by surprise. After a period of inconsistent form that saw them slip down the Premier League table, Pep Guardiola’s side has recently shown signs of improvement with back-to-back victories over Leicester City and West Ham United. This resurgence has brought them within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea, reigniting their hopes for a top-four finish.
Despite these recent positive results, injury concerns continue to plague the City squad, prompting speculation about potential January transfer activity. Reports have suggested a possible £120 million spending spree, but a more surprising rumor has emerged: a potential return for former winger Leroy Sane.
Sane enjoyed a successful four-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, contributing significantly to the club’s back-to-back Premier League titles and FA Cup triumph. He scored 39 goals in 135 appearances after joining from Schalke for £37 million in 2016. However, in 2020, Sane opted to return to Germany, joining Bayern Munich.
During his time in Germany, Sane has won three Bundesliga titles, solidifying his reputation as a top-class winger. However, his current situation at Bayern Munich appears less than ideal. He has made just seven starts in 17 games across all competitions this season and has fallen out of favor under former teammate Vincent Kompany. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Sane is free to negotiate with other clubs and is attracting interest from several Premier League sides, including Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Despite his time away from the Etihad, Sane remains highly regarded by City fans. His electrifying pace, skillful dribbling, and goal-scoring ability made him a fan favorite during his first stint at the club. Notably, Guardiola himself has spoken highly of Sane, acknowledging the significant impact he had on his development as a player.
Guardiola’s public comments regarding potential January signings have been somewhat ambiguous. In a recent press conference, he stated, “I don’t know right now. It’s not easy, it will not be easy. Maybe we’ll sign, or maybe we don’t sign anyone. So I think the club has to be wise, don’t do it for doing it, just to add players. Of course for the situation that we have and from the perspective of the players that have had consistent injuries for many, many, many times, of course the club has to do it. But I don’t know if it will be possible…”This cautious approach suggests that any potential transfer activity will be carefully considered and not undertaken impulsively.
The potential return of Sane would undoubtedly be a significant event, adding a new and intriguing dimension to the club’s ongoing story. It would represent a bold move by Guardiola, a return to familiar surroundings for the player, and potentially a game-changer for City’s fortunes.
However, several factors need to be considered. The competition for places in City’s attacking lineup is fierce, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish all vying for starting positions. Furthermore, Sane’s recent form at Bayern Munich may raise some questions about his current level of performance and his ability to seamlessly integrate back into the City squad.
Despite these potential challenges, the prospect of a Sane return remains an intriguing possibility. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether this potential transfer will materialize.
If Sane’s situation at Bayern Munich continues to deteriorate and City maintain their interest, a reunion could become a reality. However, the club must carefully weigh the potential benefits against the challenges and ensure that any potential transfer aligns with their long-term strategic objectives.
The possibility of Sane returning to Manchester City adds a fascinating layer of intrigue to the ongoing transfer saga. It remains to be seen whether this potential move will come to fruition, but one thing is certain: the coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the future of both the player and the club.
