PEP GUARDIOLA has been given a boost after Bayern Munich opted out of a January swoop for Leroy Sane.
The winger, 23, is close to a return after being out since the summer with a knee injury.
Bayern Munich will not be making a bid for Man City star Leroy Sane this summerCredit: Getty
The problem — picked up during the Community Shield win against Liverpool in August — scuppered the German giants’ hopes of signing him.
And now Bayern have indicated they will not make a move this month.
Their sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: “No he is not an issue in winter. We need players who can help us now.”
City put a price tag of around £140million on Sane in the summer which was too hot for the Germans.
But now he has just 18 months left on his deal, meaning the price may have to come down considerably in the summer.
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Before then, City boss Guardiola should have German star Sane back for the two domestic cup competitions and the Champions League.
City also have work to do to consolidate their position in the top four, although the Premier League title looks out of reach.
Guardiola gave an update on Sane’s injury earlier this week when he said: “He is close. I spoke with him two days ago and he said to me he is training alone with the ball.
“He is doing incredibly well, his knee looks good so I don’t think it is going to take too much time to come back to train.”
Guardiola also plans to bring back USA star Zack Steffen to be his No 2 keeper next season.
And that is likely to see Claudio Bravo leave on a free when his contract ends in the summer.
City have two promising keepers out on loan in Steffen, 24, and 21-year-old Aro Muric, who is at Nottingham Forest.
Steffen has impressed at Fortuna Dusseldorf despite their position near the bottom of the Bundesliga.
And Guardiola is likely to choose between one of those two to be back up to Ederson for the 2020/1 campaign.
Meanwhile, City’s Women’s manager Nick Cushing will leave his role at the start of February to become assistant to Ronny Deila at New York City FC.
He has won three Continental Cups, two FA Cups and one Women’s Super League title with the club.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
