Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 8y

Schalke boss Markus Weinierl wants Man City target Leroy Sane to stay

New Schalke manager Markus Weinzierl says he wants Leroy Sane to stay at the club amid interest from Manchester City.

The Premier League club have been linked with a £40million move for the 20-year-old, who is seen as one of the most exciting young forwards in the Bundesliga.

Sane, who is part of Gemrany's Euro 2016 squad but did not feature in any of their three group matches, is still to announce a decision on his future.

But Weinzierl is keen for him to remain at Schalke, where he made a big impact last season -- scoring nine goals in 42 appearances.

"I want Leroy Sane to stay," Weinzierl told a news conference. "He is one of those players the people here can identify with.

"I want to have a core of players who identify themselves with the fans. Leroy is one of those Schalke lads delighting me."

Meanwhile Schalke sporting executive Christian Heidel said that Sane has not indicated that he wants to leave the club.

"The status quo is that Leroy has a contract and neither the player nor the agent have contacted me and told me that he wants to leave the club this summer," he said. "But, sure, we are giving thoughts to it."

Former Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen to take the young winger to the Etihad.

However, there have been reports that Bayern themselves have launched a late bid to try to sign Sane, who has thee caps for Germany.

Sane would be Guardiola's second signing from the Bundesliga after completing a £21m deal for Borussia Dortmund midfield Ilkay Gundogan.

^ Back to Top ^