Pep keen for Sane to put pen to paper

– Pep Guardiola is confident winger Leroy Sane (left) will sign a new long-term deal with Manchester City despite delays in ongoing contract negotiations between the two parties.

The 22-year-old has recovered well from the disappointment of a summer in which he was not selected in Germany’s World Cup squad and then returned to England to discover he had lost his starting place under Guardiola.

Sane has still only started seven of City’s 14 league games this season but four goals in his past five Premier League games suggests he is rediscovering his form of the past two seasons.

And even though Sane is yet to join a list of senior stars such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Ederson, Gabriel Jesus and Nicolas Otamendi in signing new long-term contracts, Guardiola is convinced it will happen.

“I don’t have any info about the club, about being in trouble with Leroy,” said the City manager.

Sane’s task at City has been further complicated by the club-record signing of £60 million Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez.

The pair have been effectively engaged in a straight fight for the wide left position in Guardiola’s attack, with Mahrez having made one less start than Sane but having been involved in one more league game when substitute appearances are factored in.

But it is clear that Sane, who became a father for the first time earlier this year, has noted the warning signs and improved his form of late for the Premier League leaders. – AFP