His decision is already final, and there’s nothing we can do to change it. I won’t forgive Arsenal for persuading him; losing such a player at this critical point in the season is a huge blow for us,” said the Bayern Munich president, visibly upset that another star player has agreed to join Arsenal for free in January.
Reports from Germany indicate that Arsenal is interested in Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, with a potential move in January before his contract expires at the end of the season.
Just a year ago, it seemed unlikely that Sane would be nearing the end of his contract at Bayern, especially after a strong start to the 2023/24 season. He contributed 16 of his 19 Bundesliga goals in the first half of the season before injuries hindered him later on.
Sane played a crucial role in defeating Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, notably in the first leg, which ended in a 2-2 draw. He showcased his talent in key moments last season, but in the 2024/25 campaign, he has struggled for playing time, raising questions about his future at Bayern.
Could Arsenal target Leroy Sane in January?
Sane recently achieved his 100th goal contribution for Bayern in style against Bochum, but he has faced fitness issues and limited playing time under Vincent Kompany. Meanwhile, Michael Olise has excelled on the right, and Serge Gnabry has been favored on the left.
Bayern is reportedly open to extending Sane’s contract, but negotiations are not advanced, allowing him to speak with overseas clubs starting January 1, 2025. Christian Falk suggests that Arsenal is interested in Sane and may pursue him in January rather than wait until summer.
Mikel Arteta, who previously worked with Sane at Manchester City, has developed a strong working relationship with him. “I was very happy to work with him. He helped me a lot, and our discussions improved my game significantly,” Sane said about Arteta.
At City, Sane excelled on the left but has primarily played on the right since joining Bayern in 2020. Arsenal recently brought in Raheem Sterling on loan to challenge Bukayo Saka, making it unlikely Sane would join merely to be a backup.
However, there is an opportunity for Sane to return to the left flank, where Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard currently occupy starting roles. With his past success in the Premier League and his familiarity with Arteta, Sane may consider leaving Munich if he chooses not to extend his stay.
