Arsenal are ‘seriously interested’ in signing Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich and have already held ‘concrete talks’ over a summer move, according to reports.
The Gunners have been repeatedly linked with a move for Sane, who has spent five productive seasons at Bayern since leaving Manchester City in 2020.
Sane won two Premier League titles and four domestic cups at the Etihad Stadium and has enjoyed more success in Germany, lifting three Bundesliga titles.
The 29-year-old is coming towards the end of his contract at Bayern but his recent performances could well earn him an extension.
If Bayern fail to offer Sane a new deal, a number of clubs are expected to make moves, with Arsenal already holding talks as they consider bringing him to north London.
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Mikel Arteta has said he is ‘very excited’ about the summer transfer window and is keen to sign another winger to support Bukayo Saka, who marked his long-awaited return from injury on Tuesday night, and provide competition on the other flank.
But both ex-Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann and former Arsenal defender William Gallas believe it would be a mistake to sign Sane.
‘If you look at Arsenal, I think you need very good players to improve the team,’ Hamann told Best Betting Sites. ‘And obviously Saka plays on the right.
‘Leroy Sane mainly plays on the right and he’s a hugely talented player. He’s been at Bayern for five years now. He just hasn’t done it on a consistent basis.
‘Now, why would he do it now for the next three years when he’s 29? He’s a hugely talented player, but we shouldn’t talk about a player who’s 29 about his talent – we should talk about the impact they have and the medals they’ve won.
‘At that age, you’re looking for guarantees from your performance level, and Sane just hasn’t given me any assurance that he can deliver consistently.
‘I don’t think Arsenal will be looking at him or certainly not moving for him.’
Gallas, meanwhile, told Spin Genie: ‘I cannot see Leroy Sane at Arsenal.
‘I think he has a strong personality and I don’t think it would work with Mikel Arteta.’
Arsenal returned to Premier League action with a 2-1 win over London rivals Fulham on Tuesday night.
Mikel Merino and the returning Saka were on target as Arsenal cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to nine points before Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Everton.
Gunners midfielder Declan Rice said after the Fulham win: ‘It was another tough game. Most teams play back fives here now and it’s down to us to break that down.
‘Tough when they come to the edge of the box. You have to be mindful. It was comfortable but probably the last 10-15 minutes we were a bit naive and they could’ve scored two or three.’
On Liverpool’s healthy lead in the title race, Rice added: ‘We know we’re behind them in the league. We can only control what we can do and that’s to win our eight games.
‘We’ve slipped up one too many times this season, we will keep hunting them down and keep putting pressure on them that’s all we can do.’
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