The 20-year-old winger is considered to be the next big talent from Germany and signing him is one of the top priorities for incoming Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. However, he will face competition from the red side of town as Manchester United have also joined the race to sign the young talent.
Leroy Sane has had a breakthrough year in the Bundesliga and has been rewarded with a place in Germany’s Euro 2016 squad. The youngster is a graduate of the Schalke academy, a stable which has produced the likes of Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Julian Draxler, and has enjoyed a fine campaign with the first team this season. Sane scored nine goals and registered seven assists, while putting up three ‘Man of the Match’ performances.
This has not escaped the notice of Europe’s big managers and one of the biggest in Pep Guardiola witnessed Sane’s ability first hand in the Bundesliga. Guardiola is moving from Bayern Munich to Manchester City this summer, and has reportedly made Sane a priority signing when the summer transfer window opens up.
City will face tough competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool, and local rivals Manchester United have emerged as the latest big club to join the race for Sane. United reportedly sent scouts to watch him in Schalke’s final league game against Hoffenheim and are keen on signing him in order to bolster their attacking options.
Another summer, another starlet for Manchester City
Manchester City made one of the biggest transfers of last summer when they signed Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling for close to £49 milllion. As such they are not expected to baulk at the 30 million price tag for Leroy Sane, which could rise to 40 million if Schalke drive a hard bargain.
City already have a midfield packed with attacking talent, with the likes of Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri all featuring for them this season. Sane could be an astute replacement for their ageing stars Navas and Nasri, but would still have to battle it out with Sterling, De Bruyne and Silva for a place in the attacking midfield three. The emergence of forward Kelechi Iheanacho has added more competition, as either him or Sergio Aguero have dropped back to midfield for City in recent times.
However, with Guardiola arriving next summer, the squad could be in line for a massive overhaul. It remains to be seen if he is willing to sell off some of his midfielders to accommodate Sane or whether he wants to use him as a squad player, something the 20-year-old would not be satisfied with.
The perfect right-wing option for Manchester United
Manchester United are currently lacking a world class right-winger. Academy product Jesse Lingard has emerged as the best player in that position this past season, but his poor return of five goals and three assists is not enough to ensure that he holds on to the spot. Sane will provide a much more skilful and attacking alternative to Lingard, though the latter’s passing, holding and finishing abilities are at par with the German.
Sane presents a more direct threat with his dribbling skill and ability to cut into the defence, but his crossing needs some work. He is also not a midfielder who holds the ball up, something which has been drilled into the Manchester United squad by current manager Louis van Gaal. While Lingard would be the preferred fit for Van Gaal thanks to his dutiful defensive work, Sane is far and away a better attacking midfielder with a more direct approach to attacking play and creating chances. He is naturally left-footed and so is best suited for the position ahead of Lingard.
The Red Devils have been wounded by a lacklustre season that has seen them record their lowest haul of goals since 1989-90, and Sane would be the perfect buy if they are looking to build a more potent front line. Van Gaal may or may not be in charge at Old Trafford next season, but a youthful Manchester United front three of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Leroy Sane could be just what the doctor ordered.
For his part, Leroy Sane would be tempted by the club’s rich history of youth development and the probability of regular first team action.