Berlin (AFP)
Courted for months by Bayern Munich, German international striker Leroy Sané, from Manchester City, signed a five-year contract there, the German club announced on Friday.
"The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract until June 30, 2025 and will start preparing for the 2020-2021 season in Munich next week," said the most recent German champion in a statement.
The Bavarian club did not specify the amount of the transfer but the German press speaks of 49 million euros while Sané had only one year of contract with City. This sum is accompanied by bonuses which could increase the bill up to 60 million, according to British media, which would make it the largest transfer of Citizens.
According to the specialist magazine Kicker, the vice-champions of England also obtained a resale clause of the player which would give them a 10% share of the transfer price in the event of the possible sale of Sané.
"He is an exceptional player who has proven his qualities in recent years, especially within the national team. Our goal is to bring together the best German players at FC Bayern and the signing of Leroy underlines this goal", s is congratulated the owner of the Bavarian club, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"I know Hansi Flick of the national under-21 team, we had a very good relationship there. I want to win as many trophies as possible with FC Bayern, and the Champions League is top priority", said the 24-year-old left-handed.
His transfer had almost been concluded last summer but Sané had been the victim in August of a serious injury - rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee - which had ruined the deal. At the time, the sums were around 100 to 120 million euros.
With this long-awaited transfer, Bayern is continuing its renewal and rejuvenation process.
Now with Sane, Coman and Gnabry on the wings, the German champion, who can still hope to win the hat-trick this season (German Cup final on Saturday against Leverkusen and C1 quarter-final against Chelsea in early August), turns gently the page of the Ribéry-Robben era, who both left the club a year ago.
© 2020 AFP