Newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City for a fee that could rise to �?0m and also includes a 10% sell-on clause.

Signing a five-year contract with the Bavarians, the 24-year-old was unveiled as a new player earlier in the day, but will not be able to play for his new club until the next season. That means he will be unavailable for selection for the rest of Bayern's Champions League campaign and also for their Saturday's German Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen in Berlin.

Welcome to Munich, @LeroySane19! We are thrilled to be able to welcome another member of the @DFB_Team and a world-class winger to @FCBayern. We have big goals - Leroy brings us one step closer to achieving them �? #MiaSanMia #WeiterImmerWeiter pic.twitter.com/6irD1rjmkx

�?Oliver Kahn (@OliverKahn) July 3, 2020

It is being quoted that Sane will earn close to �?2m a year, which is almost double of what City were offering while handing him a new deal. The winger, however, rejected as many as three contracts from the Cityzens in order to return to Bundesliga.

Sane, who moved to City from Schalke for £37m in 2016, was a subject of a three-digit million euros bid from Bayern last year, but the Bavarians pulled out when he suffered a serious knee injury in August which sidelined him until February.

"With Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Leroy, we are now very well occupied at the highest level on the wing -- positions that are important for our game," said Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic.

With that being done, Sane has become Bayern's third new signing of the summer following the arrivals of teenage defender Tanguy Nianzou Kouassi from Paris Saint-Germain and goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel from Schalke, both of which were free transfers.

And to the news, this is how the fans reacted:

Man City slapped a price tag of 100m on Leroy Sane in 2019. Fast forward to June 2020, and they've sold him for 44 million.

What a bargain!

�?H (@_sakalinho) June 30, 2020

£54M for Sane? Anyone else think that’s an absolute bargain!!! #Sane #ManCity #bayernmünich ⚽️

�?Alex Lewis (@alexlewis07) July 3, 2020

Sad to see Sane leave the EPL. What a player he could have been for City if he stayed. Bayern are getting a hell of a bargain

�?Saint-Maximint (@jj_balmer) July 3, 2020

Leroy Sane .
An amazing footballer better than Sancho so why didn't Man U go for him because £58 mill is bargain basement in today's overinflated market

�?Moody 🙂 (@moodyblue81) July 3, 2020

Absolutely heartbreaking to see him go. But wherever he goes, I wish @LeroySane19 the absolute best! He's given me enough memories, enough exhilaration and enough euphoria to last me a lifetime. #InSané //t.co/gyFV9FZ1hJ

�?Billy Butcher (@RRapscallionn) July 3, 2020

Bayern Munich bought Leroy Sane, Alphonso Davies, Niklas Sule, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski, Xabi Alonso, Thiago, and Jerome Boateng for less money than Barcelona paid for Philippe Coutinho. pic.twitter.com/oI4MnlgsGs

�?FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) July 1, 2020

Bayern Munich on Friday confirmed the signing of Germany winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City on a five-year contract for a fee reported to be around least 50 million euros.

"FC Bayern is a very big club and has big goals - these goals suit me as well," said the 24-year-old, who added wants to win the Champions League with the Bundesliga giants.

"I'm looking forward to the new challenge and can't wait to train with the team."

Sane is looking forward to linking up again with Bayern head coach Hansi Flick, who has just steered the club to an eighth straight league title in his first season in charge.

"I know Hansi Flick from the U21 national team, we had a very good relationship there," added Sane.

"I want to win as many titles as possible with FC Bayern, and the Champions League is at the top."

The Bundesliga champions did not give the transfer fee, but Sky Sports and the BBC have reported that Bayern and City agreed a fee of £54.8 million (59.97 million euros, $67.36 million).

German daily Bild claim the fee is around "at least 50 million euros".

"We are happy that we can welcome Leroy Sane to Bayern," said club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"He is an excellent player who has proven his qualities over the past years, especially in the national team. Our goal is to gather the best German players at FC Bayern and Leroy's commitment confirms that."

The 24-year-old will start preparing for next season in Munich next week, the club has said, meaning he will sit out Saturday's German Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen in Berlin.

Last year, Sane had reportedly been on the verge of a three-digit million euros transfer to Bayern before suffering a serious knee injury in August which sidelined him until February.

After rebuilding his fitness, the Germany international made his first Premier League appearance of the season as a substitute against Burnley last week.

His transfer became an open secret after City manager Pep Guardiola revealed earlier this week that Sane was likely to leave after rejecting a new contract offer with a year left on his contract in Manchester.

"We wish Leroy all the best in this new chapter of his career," said Guardiola in a statement on Friday.

"Leroy has been part of one of the most special periods in this club’s history and he leaves with the best wishes of everyone here at Manchester City."

Sane, who won the Premier League title twice with City, has scored 39 goals in 135 matches in all competitions for the Citizens since joining from Bundesliga club Schalke in 2016.

The fleet-footed winger will bolster Bayern's attack out wide.

"With Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Leroy, we are now very well occupied at the highest level on the wing, positions that are important for our game," said Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic.

Sane is Bayern's third new signing for next season alongside French teenage defender Tanguy Nianzou Kouassi from Paris Saint-Germain and goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel from Schalke, both of which were free transfers.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @FCBayernEN

Leroy Sane is heading for the Manchester City exit door after rejecting a new deal, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday.

The Germany international has 12 months left on his contract and has been heavily linked with Bayern Munich, with the City boss acknowledging it is only a matter of time before Sane leaves.

"Leroy said he does not want to extend the contract next season so it means he wants to leave and it is going to happen this summer or at the end of the contract," Guardiola said on a videoconference with reporters on Friday.

"The club told to me they offered two or three times to extend his contract, he rejected, so he wants to play in another club.

"I think everybody knows if at the end of this season there is an agreement of both clubs, he is going to leave."

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Winger Sane, 24, has won the Premier League title twice at City since joining from Schalke in 2016.

However, he has not played for the first team since suffering a torn knee ligament in the Community Shield match against Liverpool in August.

"When we make an offer to a player it's because we want him," Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.

"He has special quality. We want players who want to play with the club to achieve targets. He is a nice guy and I love him so much. I have nothing against (him) -- but he wants another adventure."

Guardiola said that David Silva and Claudio Bravo would stay at the club until the end of the extended season, having initially been due to leave at the end of June.

City, second in the Premier League, face Burnley on Monday.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ian Kington

The English Premier League is scheduled to restart operations on June 17, and to that effect, we have seen many clubs resuming contact training, with the due training protocol enforced. While social distancing norms will continue to apply for players and staff returning to contact training as part of Project Restart, we are likely to see most clubs vote to either tie down their top players, or sell them, in order to work around the cash crunch caused due to the economic fallout post the global pandemic. 

Many Premier League managers have already started scouting for new players for their respective clubs while making a list of players on the higher side of the wage bracket in order to balance the books ahead of the upcoming 2020/21 season. On that note, here is a list of players who might depart the league during the upcoming transfer window.

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Paul Pogba has always been on top of sports news columns and this season was no different. Although he has been sidelined for most of the season, there is no doubt that he is one of the top Premier league players around. However, the Manchester United academy graduate is most likely to be sold during the upcoming window to make place for younger stars in the team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer��s Manchester side have been unable to fight for the top four spots for the last few seasons, while their Champions League prospects have been subpar as well. The chance to play in the topmost level of European competition might entice the Man Utd player to move out of England, with his most likely destination pegged to be either Real Madrid or former club Juventus.

The French international, who has been suffering from different ankle issues, has featured just eight times this season across all competitions. A move away from Old Trafford seems the best option for both the player as well as his club.

Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Young winger Leroy Sane joined Manchester City as a bright prospect but has seemingly fallen down the pecking order. He is yet to make a single Premier League appearance this season, having suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury during the FA Community Shield game against Liverpool.

However, with players slowly returning to training, and soon contact training as well, it seems more likely that Sane’s four-season stint at the Etihad is likely to be brought to an end. Bayern Munich are the closest European contenders to secure his signature, with the Bavarians looking at Leroy Sane as the perfect replacement after the departures of veteran duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery last summer.

Their attempts to sign the winger during the last transfer window were marred by his injury, but the interest in the 24-year-old Premier League player seems set as he hopes to make a return to his home country of Germany.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)

A club favourite at Arsenal, the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubamenyang is sure to leave a dent amongst the Gooners, and a gap in the Arsenal frontline. One of the last signings of the legendary Arsene Wenger before his departure, the African striker has established himself as a mainstay in the Arsenal starting XI but might seek greener pastures following two disappointing seasons for the club.

Aubameyang finished as the joint Premier League top scorer in his first full season at the club, sharing the Golden Boot with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, with 22 goals. Before the suspension of the league, he also scored twice against Everton to seal another victory for the gunners to become joint-Premier League top scorer, tied at 17 with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.

With the chance of playing European football seemingly enticing, both Real Madrid and Barcelona will look to sign the Gabonese forward, who will be a much cheaper option than their first choices.

Another option is to join Inter Milan, with the new project built under Antonio Conte taking flight. Mikel Arteta will look to cash in on the striker instead of risking letting him leave on a fee, and use the extra funds to bring to new and exciting talents.           

Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)

The departure of Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen seemed imminent during the last transfer window but the move eventually did not take place. While the Premier League club has seen a rise in their performances over the last few gameweeks, the Belgian defender might still be weighing his options ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Although the player’s agent claims that remaining in North London is still an option for the 32-year-old defender, Serie A clubs like AS Roma and Inter Milan will be monitoring the situation closely. While Roma are still looking for a proper replacement at centre-back since the departure of Kostas Manolas to Napoli, Conte’s project at Inter has seemingly taken flight, with the addition of the experienced defender as an added bonus.

Another option which might open up for the Belgian is a return to his former club Ajax, who reportedly expressed an interest in re-signing Vertonghen on a free transfer at the end of the season. Jose Mourinho, one of the most legendary Premier League managers is now in charge at Tottenham and he will look to play the younger defensive stars like Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez, making the possibility of a move likely for Jan Vertonghen.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SportsAdda.

The German Bundesliga may not enjoy a fan-following as wide as the English Premier League, but the league anyway remains an attractive proposition for footballers, especially for bright, young talents looking to make an impact on the big stage.

While the Bundesliga is seen as a breeding ground for up and coming talents by clubs in England and Europe, recent years have seen some of the most talented players make the jump to Germany. The wages might not be as big as some Premier League clubs shell out, but the attraction of playing in front of some of the most passionate fanbases in the world is a selling point on its own. 

Even though the transfer business is likely to be affected this summer due to the impact of the coronavirus on finances, there will be a few notable names making their way to the Bundesliga this summer. And here are five such players who could soon be seen strutting their stuff out in the German top-flight;

Leroy Sane (Manchester City) 

The biggest name on the list, Leroy Sane has been on the radars of Bayern Munich for over a year now. The reigning Bundesliga champions tried to sign the Manchester City star last summer, but the Premier League title holders dug their heels in and held on to him.

Read | What next for Philippe Coutinho? Assessing his potential destinations

However, that could change this summer as Sane is set to enter the final year of his contract next month and the Cityzens would risk losing him for nothing in a year. Moreover, according to reputed journalist Raphael Honigstein, the 24-year-old winger has his heart set on a transfer to Bavaria this summer.

Sane has played just 13 minutes of first-team football this term, having picked up a cruciate ligament injury at the onset of the season. However, the German international has been one of City’s most impressive players since joining the club in 2016. And with Bayern seeking the long-term heirs for Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, the 24-year-old would be the ideal addition at the Allianz Arena.

Jean-Clair Todibo (Barcelona) 

Technically, the 20-year-old Frenchman is already in the Bundesliga, having joined FC Schalke 04 on loan from La Liga champions Barcelona in January. And having impressed heavily in the handful of matches he has played in Germany, Jean-Clair Todibo is now a man in demand, with multiple clubs in the Bundesliga keen on signing him permanently.

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Schalke have the option of signing the Barcelona man permanently, but with the club hit hard financially due to the coronavirus crisis, they are unlikely to go ahead with the deal. However, RB Leipzig are keen to sign the 20-year-old, as they prepare to lose star defensive duo Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, both of whom are targets for a number of Premier League clubs.

Todibo has played just five matches for Schalke in Bundesliga this term. In those five games, the club has kept two clean sheets and conceded just five. With Barcelona keen on offloading players to generate funds this summer and Leipzig intent on the youngster, expect a move to happen.

Thomas Meunier (PSG) 

One of the most sought-after footballers heading into the transfer window, PSG’s Thomas Meunier is being eyed by a number of clubs across Europe, owing to the fact that he will be a free agent this summer. 

Read | Formidable free agents in 2020 starring World Cup winners

Indeed, the 28-year-old's contract with PSG is on the verge of expiry, which has put a number of clubs on high-alert, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund. While Meunier is likely to command a better pay packet any of the three Premier League clubs, Dortmund will offer him the status of being the undisputed first-choice right-back.

Lukasz Piszczek has looked a shadow of his past self, while Achraf Hakimi will be returning to Real Madrid, with his loan deal expiring. And signing Meunier would address this issue for BVB. A proven player at the top level, at 28, he is in his prime years and on a free transfer, would represent a smart piece of business for Dortmund.

Loris Karius (Liverpool) 

Four years after he left German club FSV Mainz to join Liverpool, Loris Karius could be on his way back to his homeland this summer. The 26-year-old's time at Anfield has been torrid, to say the least, with him being remembered for his blunders against Real Madrid in 2018, that cost Liverpool the UEFA Champions League.

Following that, he was loaned out to Turkish outfit Besiktas in 2018. However, that too came to an end earlier this month after Karius himself terminated the contract after battling the club over wage non-payment issues. Back at Liverpool, the German has no future at the club with Alisson and Adrian at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal.

Read | Five players who could don the red of North London next season

Hence, a return to Germany looks very much plausible for the 26-year-old. There have been reports of interest in Karius from Hertha Berlin, with some outlets in Turkey even claiming that an agreement is already in place between the player and the club. 

Fode Ballo-Toure (AS Monaco)

A product of the PSG academy, the 23-year-old Fode Ballo-Toure left the club in 2017 to join Lille where he spent eighteen months before moving to AS Monaco in January last year. The Frenchman has been a regular at the Principality outfit ever since and is now being chased by a number of bigwigs in Europe, including Chelsea, RB Leipzig and Schalke.

Leipzig signed Angelino on loan from Manchester City in January but will have to pay a big sum to sign him permanently, which has forced them to look at the AS Monaco man. While Chelsea are also in the market for a new left-back, they are leaning more towards Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell and see Ballo-Toure as an alternative.

Read | Five players who could move to the Premier League this summer

This coupled with Schalke’s reduced financial prowess could give Leipzig the upper hand in the race for Ballo-Toure. The Frenchman is known for his blistering pace and relentless running, which would make him a great fit in the youthful RB Leipzig side under Julian Nagelsmann.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk

Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed on a transfer with Manchester City winger Leroy Sane for a five-year deal, according to a report.

Sport Bild claim the 24-year-old has agreed on terms with Bayern, but the fee is still to be negotiated.

According to the magazine, Bayern's director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic and board member Oliver Kahn want to pay 40 million euros ($43 million) - half of Sane's estimated market value.

However, the Germany international has not played for City's first team since tearing his right knee ligament last August in the FA Community Shield match win over Liverpool at Wembley.

Having joined from Schalke in 2016 for a reported fee of £37 million (42.5 million euros, $45.8 million), Sane is under contract in Manchester until 2021.

Read | Who could stay or leave next summer? Manchester City’s squad assessed

A transfer fee of around 100 million euros had been reported last summer when Bayern were trying to sign him before injury struck.

According to Sport Bild, a few factors could help Bayern sign Sane for a lower fee, especially as he has been sidelined for most of the season.

Bayern could sign him for the price they want as the transfer market is deflated by the uncertainty over the coronavirus with all major European leagues currently suspended.

Manchester City need to generate income from transfers to comply with financial fair-play regulations having been banned from the Champions League for the next two seasons due to violations and they risk losing Sane to Munich on a free transfer.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Charly Triballeau

Leroy Sane's new agent says the Manchester City winger is still in the running for a transfer to Bayern Munich, after a potential switch was put on hold due to a serious knee injury.

"FC Bayern is the only club in Germany that Leroy can see as the next step in his career," Sane's agent Damir Smoljan told magazine Sport Bild on Wednesday.

"He believes the conditions are right there for him to achieve his ultimate goal: winning the Champions League."

The 24-year-old Sane is viewed as one of Germany's brightest talents and has scored five goals in 21 appearances for his country. He won the Premier League title with City in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

He seemed to be on the verge of joining Bayern last August before he tore his cruciate knee ligament during the Community Shield match against Liverpool at Wembley,  holding up a possible move.

Last month, Sane admitted the devastating injury was the "longest and hardest" of his career, describing the road to recovery as both mentally and physically gruelling.

Sane returned to training and played a game for City's reserves in March before the Premier League fixtures were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Before injury struck, Sane's rumoured switch to Munich had involved a reported transfer fee in excess of 100 million euros .

Bayern want Sane after wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery both retired at the end of last season.

"The interest of FC Bayern is no secret, but other very big European teams have already contacted us about Leroy," Smoljan added, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also said to be interested.

In this season's Champions League last 16 ties, Bayern beat Chelsea 3-0 in London while City ran out 2-1 winners over Real Madrid in Spain before both second legs were postponed due to the coronavirus.