Bayern Munich linked with Manchester City star
Thursday 16 April 2020 16:14, UK
Manchester City's Leroy Sane is linked with a move to Bayern Munich, but what has the winger proved this season and what would he offer the Bundesliga champions?
The 23-year-old has been included in the Germany squad to face Belarus and Estonia in the European Qualifiers, live on Sky Sports, after a difficult third season in England.
We haven't made an offer for Leroy Sane. It hasn't come that far yet. At first, the player has to decide whether he can imagine coming to Bayern.
Sane started only 21 games in the Premier League this season, having started 27 in 2017/18, with Pep Guardiola appearing to favour Riyad Mahrez for crucial Champions League games.
Bayern Munich have expressed interest in signing Sane but dismissed the current price tag as "insane", while City have tabled a deal to extend his contract. So in what areas does Sane excel?
The graphic below reveals how Sane compares with team-mate Raheem Sterling, typically operating closer to the touchline and breaking less frequently into the opposition box.
While Sterling was awarded the FWA and PFA Young Player of the Year awards, it was Sane - one year his junior - who actually excelled in the stats per 90 minutes - surpassing the Englishman for shots, assists and big chances created.
One notable trait, which Guardiola may disapprove of, is his tendency to pass backwards after running into cul-de-sacs, often losing possession or claiming a throw-in when the opposition blocks exit routes.
David Silva typically looks to set Sane on his way, or the pair look for brisk exchanges, attempting 307 pass combinations in equal measure - as is the case with Fabian Delph, when the midfielder has been handed game time.
Sane's pace is without doubt his most deadly weapon, with his top speed of 35.18 km/h, recorded against Burnley in October, ranking as the fourth fastest burst in the Premier League this season.
In addition, the German's 19.49 sprints per 90 minutes ranks third in the top flight among players that clocked 1,000 minutes or more - although his average distance covered of just 9.61 km suggests he could cover more ground.
According to the Power Rankings, Sane's best performance in a City shirt was during the 4-0 win at West Ham in November, scoring two goals and assisting Sterling - but a four-month period of poor form ensued until April.
However, should City retain Sane this summer, then Football Whispers data provides a range of alternative players with similar skillsets - and it's quite an illustrious bunch.
The data ranks Sterling as being the closest fit to Sane and playing at a slightly higher level, with the next closest candidates being Juventus midfielder Paulo Dybala and former Southampton forward Dusan Tadic.
Other headliners include Eden Hazard and brother Thorgan, Marco Reus, Willian, Memphis Depay, Pedro, Nabil Fekir and Dries Mertens, as well as young prospects Steven Bergwijn, Domenico Berardi and Oussama Idrissi.
As well as keeping an eye on Sky Sports News, make sure you don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
There's also the return of the Transfer Talk Podcast, the daily UK, Regional and European Paper Talk, plus features across skysports.com and the Sky Sports app.
If reading on skysports.com, comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
