29.10.2019 | Author: Amir Bashir

Manchester City want £68m-rated Spain forward to replace Bayern Munich bound Leroy Sane

Sane looks set to join Bayern Munich next summer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Leroy Sane of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on January 14, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Leroy Sane has been out of action after damaging the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Manchester City's Community Shield victory over Liverpool in August.

Manchester City have identified Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal as the man to replace Bayern Munich-bound Leroy Sane in their squad, as per reports.

The reigning Premier League champions are growing increasingly confident that Sane will join the Bundesliga title holders at the end of this season.

Their acceptance of the fact has forced the Citizens to identify the replacements for the 23-year-old, with the 22-year-old Oyarzabal emerging as their top choice to replace the German.

Provided City are to step-up their pursuit of the Real Sociedad attacking midfielder, they might have to be ready to meet the Spanish club’s £68m valuation of the player.

Sane looks set to join Bayern next summer

Leroy Sané - Alarmstufe Rot bei der medizinischen Abteilung von Manchester City... — LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Leroy Sane of Manchester City receives medical attention during the FA Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 04, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Bavarian side made their move to sign Sane in the summer but the German winger’s early-season injury ruled out the chances of any potential move.

However, the Bundesliga giants aren’t yet ready to accept defeat in the chase of the 23-year-old German, who has made no secret of his desire to play at the Allianz Arena.

The player’s agent, Giovanni Branhcini, has reportedly held talks with Bayern to discuss the potential move, though the German club are still unwilling to meet City’s 140m asking price of Sane.

Pep Guardiola told the press earlier this season that he’d be able to do nothing if Sane decides that his future is away from the Etihad Stadium.

And now it seems that he has already identified a potential replacement in Oyarzabal to prepare for life after the German winger.

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Who is Sane’s potential replacement Oyarzabal?

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - OCTOBER 15: Forward Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain national team, Nationalteam during UEFA EURO, EM, Europameisterschaft,Fussball 2020 Qualifiers match - Sweden v Spain at Friends Arena on October 15, 2019, in Stockholm, Sweden. Photo by Anatoliy Medved/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: OCT 15 UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifiers - Sweden v Spain PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon1910150128

Mikel Oyarzabal is a 22-year-old attacking midfielder who can also play as a forward and represented his country in this summer’s U-21 Euros.

His stint with Spain was hugely successful for both the player and Spain as Oyarzabal scored 2 and assisted one goal during his five appearances in this summer’s tournament.

In the ongoing La Liga season, the 22-year-old has already found the back of the net four times in his first ten appearances on the domestic season, also providing four assists in the process.

The forward’s performances in La Liga haven’t gone unnoticed as City are ready to secure his signature provided Sane leaves for Germany next summer.

Any move involving the player won’t come cheap, though, as Sociedad are aware of his talent and won’t take anything less than £68m in transfer fee to part with Oyarzabal’s services.