His mind is already made up, and there’s nothing we can do about it, but I won’t forgive Arsenal for convincing him; losing such a talent at this critical stage of the season is a huge loss for us.” Bayern Munich’s president broke down in tears as another Bayern superstar agreed to join Arsenal for free in January.
According to reports from Germany, Arsenal is interested in Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, and the club could sell him in January before his contract expires at the end of the season.
Given his start to the 2023/24 season, it seemed unlikely that Sane would be nearing the end of his contract in Bavaria this time last year. The dynamic wide player scored 16 of his 19 Bundesliga goals in the first half of the season before niggling injuries hampered him down the stretch.
Sane was part of the team that defeated Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals, with a particularly vital contribution in the first leg, which ended 2-2. The German demonstrated the pinnacle of his game-changing ability at pivotal circumstances last season, but he has struggled to find minutes in 2024/25, casting doubt on his future with Bayern.
Could Arsenal make a January bid for Leroy Sane, a Bayern Munich winger?
Sane recently scored his 100th goal for Bayern in style against Bochum, but the winger has struggled for fitness and minutes under Vincent Kompany so far.
Michael Olise has fitted in perfectly down the right wing, while Serge Gnabry has been Kompany’s favored option on the opposite flank.
While Bayern Munich is rumored to be open to extending the 28-year-old’s contract, an agreement between the two parties is not expected soon, and Sane will be free to speak with foreign clubs beginning January 1, 2025. According to Christian Falk, Arsenal is one of the clubs interested in signing Sane, but they are unlikely to wait until next summer, preferring to jump ahead of the competition in January.
Mikel Arteta worked alongside Sane at Manchester City, and the two are considered to have had a great working relationship.
“”I was quite pleased to work with him. He was quite helpful to me there. We had several face-to-face chats about how I could enhance my game. I developed a lot because of his ideas, whether it was positional play or how I needed to perform in particular situations.”
– Sane about working with Arteta.
Sane thrived on the left flank at the Etihad, but has been utilized more on the right since departing City in 2020. Arsenal signed Raheem Sterling on loan this summer to create more competition for Bukayo Saka, and Sane is unlikely to join the club solely to act as the Englishman’s second in command.
However, the 28-year-old might return to his place down the left, where Arteta now prefers Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Sane was completely electrifying during his Premier League days, and his familiarity with the Arsenal manager (as well as the division) may tempt the German if he decides not to stay in Munich.
