FRESH from missing out on a couple of key targets, Manchester United have switched their focus to Schalke forward Leroy Sane, according to Goal.
However, the Red Devils could face stiff competition from neighbours Manchester City who are also interested in the German international.
The Mirror reports: “Goal understands United have been monitoring the 20-year-old’s progress for some time – including a UEFA Youth League clash between Schalke and City 15 months ago – as part of a comprehensive operation comparable to the legwork they put into the signing of Anthony Martial from Monaco in September.”
Incoming City boss Pep Guardiola has also been an admirer of the pacy winger for some time and with Champions League football to offer next season, City may well find themselves with greater bargaining power than their Old Trafford counterparts.
Sane has made rapid progress since making his league debut in 2014 and has become a key player for Schalke, so much so that he has been included in Germany’s provisional squad for Euro 2016.
His rise to stardom has inevitably seen his value soar and in our view, a fee in the region of £30million would be required to prise the youngster away from the Bundesliga outfit.
While the potential transfer price appears particularly high for an as-yet relatively unproven player, United will point to the outstanding debut season Martial enjoyed in the Premier League as justification for such an outlay.
—–
Click here to check out Football Advisor
