Manchester City earmark €75m-rated winger as Sane replacement
Manchester City have earmarked Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal as a potential replacement for Leroy Sane, claims AS.
Sane has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich all summer and the Bundesliga giants are growing increasingly confident of landing the City star.
The Germany international has entered the final two years of his current City deal and has stalled on pledging his long-term future to the club.
Sane dropped down the pecking order at City last season and is currently mulling his return amid interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern.
City do not want to lose Sane but will reluctantly cash in on the £90m-rated winger this summer if he fails to agree a new deal.
The Premier League champions want to avoid the prospect of Sane running down his contract and either leaving for a cut-price fee next year or for nothing in the summer of 2020.
Pep Guardiola will have to sign a replacement for Sane if the Germany international leaves this summer and wants Oyarzabal.
The 22-year-old only signed a new long-term deal with Sociedad at the start of last season but City are willing to trigger his €75m (£67.8m) release clause.
City, who are prepared to make Oyarzabal a club-record signing, have reportedly even sounded his representatives to find out the feasibility of a deal.
Oyarzabal, who played a key role in Spain’s victory at this summer’s U21 European Championships, scored 13 goals in LaLiga last season.
I am confused - why would City spend tens of millions, probably closed to $100 in total to get a replacement for Leroy Sane when they could just pay him a few million more per year - to make him happy?