Bayern Munich close in on Sane, sign French talent Kouassi
BUNDESLIGA champions Bayern Munich are close to signing Germany winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City and have already landed French teenage defender Tanguy Nianzou Kouassi.
“We are in very good discussions with Leroy Sane’s management and with Manchester City. But now we must be patient,” Bayern board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic said on Wednesday.
City manager Pep Guardiola said: “There are some little issues but it looks like he is going to go to Munich. We wish him all the best and big thanks for our years together.” City have reportedly agreed to let the 24-year-old go for 49 million euros (55 million dollars), rising to a possible 60 million euros with bonuses.
Sane was already linked with Munich 12 months ago but then ruptured his cruciate ligament which sidelined him for many months.
There was speculation that Sane would cost Bayern around 100 million euros last year but after the injury and with only one year left on his contract it will likely be less than half that amount.
Sane can add to Bayern’s speed on the wings along with Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry. The 18-year-old Kouassi received a four-year contract in a free transfer from French champions Paris Saint-Germain, where he started playing in their academy four years ago.
Kouassi made his first-team debut at PSG last December and is also a junior international.
“He is one of Europe’s best players in his age group. We are very pleased to have been able to sign him and are convinced that he will be looking to help strengthen our team,” Salihamidzic said.
Kouassi said: “I’m very happy to be able to play for FC Bayern. It’s a big club, rich in tradition. I really hope I’ll be able to establish myself here and play a lot of matches. For that I’ll work hard.” He is the third French defender at Bayern, joining Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez, and the sixth Frenchman overall in the squad, alongside Coman and midfielders Corentin Tolisso and Michael Cuisance.
MOURINHO EXPECTS DIER TO GET NEW SPURS DEAL
Jose Mourinho is confident England international Eric Dier is ready to sign a new contract with Tottenham.
Dier’s future was thrown into doubt after he climbed into the stands to argue with a fan who had exchanged words with his brother during an FA Cup defeat against Norwich earlier this season.
The 26-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of next season, but Tottenham manager Mourinho says chairman Daniel Levy told him Dier is keen to reach an agreement.
MARSEILLE SIGN PAPE GUEYE
Marseille announced the signing of defensive midfielder Pape Gueye on a free transfer from Le Havre after he backed out of a move to Premier League side Watford. The former France Under-19 international had been set to join the Hornets on a fiveyear deal, but Gueye said last month he would not move to England due to alleged irregularities in the agreement.
Watford announced in April Gueye had signed a pre-contract agreement with the club. Gueye, 21, instead penned a four-year contract with Marseille before joining his new team-mates at a training camp in Portugal.
The club has also tied down defender Alvaro Gonzalez to a three-year deal following a successful spell on loan from Villarreal.