Leroy Sane in the Spotlight or in the Shop Window?

Since joining Manchester City on August 2 2016, Leroy Sane has developed from a player with potential to winning the Young Player of the Season and establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in European football.

He played an integral role in the Manchester City record breaking team of 2017/18 but his season ended in disappointment when he was not selected for the German national squad. Since then he has been plagued with rumours about his ‘attitude’ and has found his behaviour publicly questioned by seasoned German International Footballers.

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Alongside that there has been some tough love operated by Pep Guardiola, who has left him out of his team on many occasions, and indeed Sane currently finds himself benched for the big games to make way for Benjamin Mendy. Sane has recently become a father and may well have spent some time adjusting to this change in circumstances during this period.

Guardiola has been clear that he holds his players to greater account and imposes stricter conditions on them in the season following their success, in order to push and cajole them more. But Sane seems to be receiving more of this tough love than for instance, Gabriel Jesus, another player who has not featured regularly this season.

Sane’s contract with Manchester City runs until 30 June 2021 and he has seen a number of his close friends in the team receive new improved contracts to tie them down to the Club. Jesus, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Aguero, Silva, Ederson have all recently improved their terms whilst the Club have publicly announced they are in negotiation with both Raheem Sterling and Bernardo to reflect their contributions.

The extent to which the Club are seeking to motivate Sane by ongoing tough love in respect of not offering a new contract is unclear, but there have been some rumours the player may be moving on. In the Summer there was a story in the Italian press suggesting Juventus were in talks with the player. Yesterday English bookmakers were suggesting he may even be moving onto Manchester United and slashed his odds of joining them.

Whilst I do not believe he would go to Manchester United – he would end up just being another young player ruined by Mourinho – its unclear whether the transfer stories are part of an elaborate dance being weaved by his agents in contract negotiations. or whether there is a real substance.

Its likely Sane would command a fee in excess of £90 million should he move on – but the prime time for a move would be now because as he enters the last 18 months of his contract his value will decrease.I hope Sane plays against Fulham tomorrow and makes it hard for Guardiola to drop him again by delivering a superb performance. I hope he then goes on to say he wants to remain at the Club and a new contract is announced. I consider Sane is an integral part of our young side and I do not want to consider the prospect of him leaving.