Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has confirmed that he wants to remain at the Allianz Arena despite links with a return to the Premier League next year.
The former Manchester City winger is about to enter the final six months of his deal with the German giants, who risk losing him for nothing when the 2024-25 campaign concludes.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both rumoured to have been alerted to Sane's situation; the Germany international worked alongside current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta while he served as Pep Guardiola's assistant.
Sane is still on the same terms he penned upon his arrival at Bayern in 2020, and the 28-year-old is free to start talking to foreign clubs in the January transfer window if he does not sign on the dotted line before the New Year.
However, speaking to Sky Deutschland after his side's 5-1 thumping of RB Leipzig on Friday evening, the attacker announced his desire to continue in Bavaria, and progress is being made to tie him down to an extension.
Sane confirms desire to continue at Bayern
"I want to stay at Bayern, yes. Max Eberl said a lot about that and I also gave my opinion. Things are going well and we'll see," Sane responded.
The 28-year-old struggled for regular starts in the first several weeks of the campaign, but he has now forced his way into Vincent Kompany's XI and is also starting to hit a rich vein of form in the Bundesliga.
Sane struck his side's fourth goal in their thrashing of Leipzig on December 20, thus scoring in back-to-back games after also netting Bayern's consolation in their 2-1 loss to Mainz 05 last weekend.
The winger now has five goals and one assist to show from 19 matches in the 2024-25 season, taking his total for Bayern Munich to 53 strikes and 51 assists from 194 games in all tournaments.
Before returning to his homeland, Sane had a hand in 54 goals in 90 Premier League matches during his four seasons at Man City, 25 of his own and 29 assists.
Which other wingers can Arsenal, Man United target?
With Sane looking likely to extend at Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Man United will surely need to look elsewhere to reinforce their wide ranks next summer, but it may be a simpler task for the North London giants.
The Gunners are one of several clubs tipped to offer Marcus Rashford an escape route from the Theatre of Dreams after the England international publicly voiced his desire to seek out a new challenge.
However, while Man United are supposedly happy to send Rashford out on loan in January, they do not want to strengthen a direct Premier League rival and will only consider shipping him out to a foreign team.
Both English giants could turn their attention to a different Bundesliga prospect in the shape of Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens, although BVB's managing director recently sent a firm warning to any team hoping to try their luck next year.
Barcelona's Raphinha and Dani Olmo have also been mentioned as possible targets, while Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo might be courted by top teams in 2025 after his breakout season.
