Deal agreed with Bayern Munich for Leroy Sane - €60m (including add-ons)

[Coatigan]

Honestly, that wouldn’t even be close to top 7 standard.

The gap between Sané and Zinchenko from a forward thinking perspective is gigantic.

Angelino still needs to prove himself as well.

Is it? There is a gap, yes, not debating that. But is it really gigantic? not for me i don't think. Slightly different players to be fair as zinch isnt a true winger as well.

 

[blueinsa]

I hope we don't budge on our valuation, as I can't see Bayern stretching to £135m. I'd be happy to see him stay here for another season, even if meant having to accept a much lower fee next summer. At least it would give us time to get a replacement lined up, and we'd get another year's service out of him. There would also be an outside chance that he could still end up renewing with us. Losing both Kompany and Sane would significantly weaken us imo, even with the additions of Rodri and Cancelo. Liverpool will be on our tails again, and it seems mad to give them any encouragement.

This.

Factor in the amortisation of another year and any lower fee next summer if he still wants to go will be mitigated anyway.

If Bayern want to pay up now then so be it but i dont think they either want to or can actually afford it.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

If Sane wasn't super quick he'd be average. Saying that however his speed is a devastating game changer and would take some replacing. I hate saying this but if we knew this was in the offing earlier we should have took a gamble on the lad James from Swansea who is also a sprinter pretending to be a footballer. It's not as if we didn't know he existed as he tore us to pieces during that cup tie.

Personally I'd not let him leave. Forget missing out on any prospective fee, just accept that we signed him for £37m and we get 5 years usage. In relative terms that's a cost of £7.4m a year and modest wages on top. In short even if he sees out his contract and leaves for nothing it will have been amongst the best £50-60 million we've ever spent.

I couldn’t agree less.

There are things Leroy has done with the ball, through his own skill and ability that nobody else in this squad can do.

There’s no doubt he needs to improve on a few things. But Sterling, who some of our fans now tout as World Class, who is a year older, can’t control a ball with a first touch when he’s running and he scuffs almost every shot because he panics. Back when he was 23 Kun was ice cold in the box, I’ve never seen the lad panic once.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Suspect Angelino and Zinchenko together on that side of the pitch interchanging might not be the end of the world. Just my thoughts.

That’s not even Europa League level.

 

[Rolee]

I couldn’t agree less.

There are things Leroy has done with the ball, through his own skill and ability that nobody else in this squad can do.

There’s no doubt he needs to improve on a few things. But Sterling, who some of our fans now tout as World Class, who is a year older, can’t control a ball with a first touch when he’s running and he scuffs almost every shot because he panics. Back when he was 23 Kun was ice cold in the box, I’ve never seen the lad panic once.

Agree, where Sterling compensates for his flaws though is with consistent effort.

If Sane can find that consistency he could be up there as one of the world's best, if.

 

[OB1]

I'd say it's his no1 asset and if he didn't have it he wouldn't even be at Zaha's technical level. He consistently get caught offside, which is effectively losing possession, whilst his finishing is not Mbape standard.

As I've said, he's rocket quick but without it the rest of his game is so so! In fact, have you ever seen him even head a ball?

I'm pretty sure I have seen him head a ball but that is not his primary function: he's a winger and his job is to run with the ball at pace and dribble past players then shoot or cross and he's an exceptional talent in that regard. He can slalom like few players I've seen in a City shirt - same sort of level as the likes of Aguero and Kinkladze in that regard but with more pace.

 

[Craig]

Is it? There is a gap, yes, not debating that. But is it really gigantic? not for me i don't think. Slightly different players to be fair as zinch isnt a true winger as well.

The gap is ridiculous, gigantic, massive and then some. You're talking about potentially the best left winger in Europe. A player so good that double figures in league goals and assists without starting all the games isn't seen as enough by his manager because he's got that much ability.

 

[doobyedoobye]

Yeah I get the argument we don’t need one, but Leroy is a special talent - I think without him we’re weaker

We are if Mahrez and Jesus don't fill the void

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Agree, where Sterling compensates for his flaws though is with consistent effort.

If Sane can find that consistency he could be up there as one of the world's best, if.

It's not about "consistency" with Sane. His game needs space so he can get behind, which is why he causes so many problems for the likes of Liverpool. His game is less effective against the "park the bus" teams because he doesn't open defences in an instant with a little ball or overlap. That's where Sterling on the left/Bernado on the right is a better option. Against attacking teams Sterling is better on the right overlapping and running into space. Against the defensive teams his ability to wriggle out of trouble or cut inside and have a shot gives him the edge over Sane.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

It's not about "consistency" with Sane. His game needs space so he can get behind, which is why he causes so many problems for the likes of Liverpool. His game is less effective against the "park the bus" teams because he doesn't open defences in an instant with a little ball or overlap. That's where Sterling on the left/Bernado on the right is a better option. Against attacking teams Sterling is better on the right overlapping and running into space. Against the defensive teams his ability to wriggle out of trouble or cut inside and have a shot gives him the edge over Sane.

That’s true and I also think Sané has that space a bit more even against park-the-bus teams because de Bruyne can spot that special pass.

Leroy and de Bruyne really compliment each others’ games.

 

[Coatigan]

The gap is ridiculous, gigantic, massive and then some. You're talking about potentially the best left winger in Europe. A player so good that double figures in league goals and assists without starting all the games isn't seen as enough by his manager because he's got that much ability.

I am not in the slightest devaluing sane, i think my posts here have been consistent enough to show i think him a genuine top player. I just think zinchenko's footballing intelligence and ability is undervalued. but as i say, different players. Zinch has the vision, and the passing ability, what he doesnt have that Sane does (in fairness no other player in our team does) is his pace and finishing.

Fair enough, no point arguing over adjectives, we both agree on a gap in quality, just not so much on the scale.

 

[Neville Kneville]

It's not about "consistency" with Sane. His game needs space so he can get behind, which is why he causes so many problems for the likes of Liverpool. His game is less effective against the "park the bus" teams because he doesn't open defences in an instant with a little ball or overlap. That's where Sterling on the left/Bernado on the right is a better option. Against attacking teams Sterling is better on the right overlapping and running into space. Against the defensive teams his ability to wriggle out of trouble or cut inside and have a shot gives him the edge over Sane.

Imo, that's an example of where Sane is not necessarily taking the best option if he stays at City long term.

He has an unstoppable shot, similar to Ronaldo & in a different team, would be pretty much ordered to use it as much as possible, told he doesn't shoot enough.

At City, he almost sheepishly shuffles away if he hits a shot & gets it wrong & is then unlikely to try it again.

Imo, it's one of the few weaknesses in our game plan.

 

[Marvin]

I hope we don't budge on our valuation, as I can't see Bayern stretching to £135m. I'd be happy to see him stay here for another season, even if meant having to accept a much lower fee next summer. At least it would give us time to get a replacement lined up, and we'd get another year's service out of him. There would also be an outside chance that he could still end up renewing with us. Losing both Kompany and Sane would significantly weaken us imo, even with the additions of Rodri and Cancelo. Liverpool will be on our tails again, and it seems mad to give them any encouragement.

If Sane says he wants to go, then really what is the point of keeping him for 1-2 seasons, when his value is largely about his potential rather than his current ability? At the moment his value to City is as an impact sub. Perhaps he has grown impatient with that role, but he can change that.

I find it difficult to believe that he would go to Bayern Munich. It would be a backward move for him football wise. Suddenly he would be the star player in a very ordinary side in a very ordinary league. That's not good for his development. It seems Sane's agent wants him to go to Bayern, but Sane himself is happy for the time being at City.

 

[trevorriley]

That’s true and I also think Sané has that space a bit more even against park-the-bus teams because de Bruyne can spot that special pass.

Leroy and de Bruyne really compliment each others’ games.

spot on, that's what balances a team, varied styles of play. Sane needs that player like KDB or silvas to thread that "run on to ball"

Odd times we have had a fast wing back and sane, doesn't balance they run in each others space leaving gaps.

Mind you what player couldn't thrive when KDB cuts a defence wide open with those pin point passes

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Imo, that's an example of where Sane is not necessarily taking the best option if he stays at City long term.

He has an unstoppable shot, similar to Ronaldo & in a different team, would be pretty much ordered to use it as much as possible, told he doesn't shoot enough.

At City, he almost sheepishly shuffles away if he hits a shot & gets it wrong & is then unlikely to try it again.

Imo, it's one of the few weaknesses in our game plan.

I'd assume he'd have the same issue at Bayern who must play against defensive teams as often as we do, if not more so, as they dominate their league so much.

 

[Neville Kneville]

If Sane says he wants to go, then really what is the point of keeping him for 1-2 seasons, when his value is largely about his potential rather than his current ability? At the moment his value to City is as an impact sub. Perhaps he has grown impatient with that role, but he can change that.

I find it difficult to believe that he would go to Bayern Munich. It would be a backward move for him football wise. Suddenly he would be the star player in a very ordinary side in a very ordinary league. That's not good for his development. It seems Sane's agent wants him to go to Bayern, but Sane himself is happy for the time being at City.

The point of keeping him, would be if nobody offered an acceptable fee. To prove the point. You can't poach players from City, so don't bother trying.

If we become a club who shows we will cash in, if pressed, we will lose most of our best young players in the future, apart from those who are City fans.

If we only deal at the very top end, then clubs know there is no point trying to unsettle our players as we will not sell anyone we want to keep, below our valuation, ever.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I'd assume he'd have the same issue at Bayern who must play against defensive teams as often as we do, if not more so, as they dominate their league so much.

I actually think it's one of the best ways to break them down.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

That’s true and I also think Sané has that space a bit more even against park-the-bus teams because de Bruyne can spot that special pass.

Leroy and de Bruyne really compliment each others’ games.

I know what you mean: KDB can turn defence into attack in one pass, and Rodri looks like he can find KDB with ease.

 

[TonyM]

I know what you mean: KDB can turn defence into attack in one pass, and Rodri looks like he can find KDB with ease.

I wonder how many managers now know how to stop us? Thanks. Thanks a lot!

 

[mardon85]

If this happens we're weaker than last year and we know how close it was last season.

There's clearly some background issues we don't know about with Sane you don't get that with Sterling and he has a better work ethic which puts him ahead of Sane for me. I'll be gutted if he goes though.