The reason for why Leroy Sane’s contract talks with Bayern Munich broke down have reportedly been revealed.
Sane dealt the German champions a surprise blow after catching them off guard with a last-minute contract U-turn. The forward is said to have largely agreed terms on a new deal and was poised to put pen to paper on a three-year extension until 2028 with reduced wages, taking his salary down to around €15million (£12.7m), approximately four to six million euros less per year.
Sane had publicly revealed his desire to stay with the recently crowned Bundesliga champions and the club hierarchy expected negotiations to be wrapped up promptly.
But in a bombshell meeting on Saturday night, Sane appeared to go back on his decision, with Sky in Germany claiming the 29-year-old is now dissatisfied with the package on the table and he will no longer consider a lower salary without a signing fee, which team-mates Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala received with their new deals.
Bayern are said to be awaiting to hear of the new demands, with the forward’s current deal running out in the summer, putting Premier League clubs on red alert.
And now, according to BILD, the reason for Sane’s U-turn has been revealed, and it is because he changed agent.
The reason for Leroy Sane’s contract U-turn at Bayern Munich has reportedly been revealed
The forward was set to pen a three-year deal, but appears to have gone back on his decision
That is said to be because he changed agent, now being represented by Pini Zahavi (pictured)
Prior to Bayern’s game against RB Leipzig at the weekend, which ended in a 3-3 draw, the club’s sporting director Max Eberl said that his side were ‘in good and productive discussions, but the signature is still missing.’
The report suggests that a three-year deal had been agreed on, with the finances also verbally agreed.
But, just before any contract was signed, Sane informed the club he had changed agent and is now working with Pini Zahavi. Zahavi confirmed the news himself, saying: ‘It’s true. Leroy Sane has joined our agency, and we’re looking forward to working with him. We have a very good relationship with FC Bayern and the people involved. We look forward to the upcoming discussions.’
According to Bild, however, Zahavi has a strained relationship with Bayern, following a previous fallout surrounding David Alaba.
Alaba left Bayern after a contract extension wasn’t agreed, joining Real Madrid, and honoury Bayern president called Zahavi a ‘piranha’. Robert Lewandowski also left the club with help from the agent.
The Israeli also represents Eric Dier, who will leave Bayern at the end of the season on a free transfer.
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told Abendzeitung: ‘Leroy is having a good season. Zahavi is an experienced agent, not always easy to negotiate with. But that’s just how it is. We’ll see how it goes. Max Eberl is doing an excellent job with Christoph Freund.’
President Herbert Hainer struck a similarly optimistic tone, adding: ‘I don’t know his motives. We’ve usually almost always reached an agreement with Zahavi. I’m an optimist by nature. Leroy has said often enough that he wants to stay.’
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl said his side were ‘in good and productive discussions’ before the weekend
Former Tottenham defender Eric Dier is set to leave Bayern at the end of the current season
Sky claim Sane, who was on the books at Manchester City between 2016 and 2020, could return to the Premier League if he doesn’t sign an extension.
He is said to prefer a move to London, which he has been known to enjoy visiting on his days off, and Arsenal are reportedly interested in snapping him up.
Chelsea could also be in the picture. Christopher Nkunku – another forward advised by Zahavi – is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer over a lack of game time and that would free up a spot for Sane in Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Fresh talks, though, between Sane and Bayern are expected to take place.
