Bayern chief still interested in Sane
BAYERN Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed that the club will discuss whether or not to make another move for City’s Leroy Sane in the new year.
Bayern pursued Sane during the summer transfer window as they looked to rejuvenate their squad after an underwhelming campaign and replace departed legends Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery.
Key members of staff at the club, Hoeness included, plus a number of star players such as Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich, all discussed Bayern’s interest in Sane openly in the media.
Their pursuit of Sane became so vigorous that manager Niko Kovac had to apologise to City after he stated he was confident Sane would sign for the Bavaria club. The club then had to publicly deny reports that a deal had been agreed.
Despite making their desire to sign the winger clear Bayern abandoned their pursuit when Sane picked up a serious knee injury in the Community Shield.
However, Hoeness has refused to rule out Bayern going back in for Sane when he returns to full fitness.
“We were very much interested. We had discussions with him, but his big accident, awful injury... we could not go on with that.” Uli Hoeness told Planet Futbol.
“Therefore, we have to wait now [and see] how his recovery goes on.
“I think the new people will have to sit down in January or February [and decide] what’s going on with that.” PEP Guardiola has poured cold water on the idea of playing Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero together.
The City manager apologised to Brazil star Jesus for not playing him as much as he would like.
And, while the return of Benjamin Mendy from long-term injury opens up the possibility of reverting to the 3-5-2 formation which has proved devastating in the past, Guardiola dismissed the idea of playing the two South Americans as a pair.
In the 11 games in which they have started together, Aguero and Jesus have scored 14 goals between them, and the partnership has looked frighteningly good at times.
But Guardiola has shied away from playing two strikers, especially during Mendy’s long injury absence, as he did not have an overlapping left back to provide width.
And the fact that he threw Jesus on as a sub in the 3-2 defeat at Norwich a fortnight ago, with little effect, seems to have affected his opinion.
Guardiola said: “Normally I don’t play with two strikers... the last minutes at Norwich – and it wasn’t good.
“Our control isn’t the best, and we’re not solid enough. It’s difficult for me.
“I try to move them and play both. In some games Gabriel gives me something Sergio can’t. And the other way around.”
Jesus expressed his frustration at his lack of opportunity last season, but also said that he fully understood the reasons behind Guardiola’s decision, as it was based on Aguero’s excellent form.
Guardiola described that as a ‘perfect’ response and later added: “No player will be happy if they don’t play regularly. Honestly I don’t try to fight too much. He’s happy when he plays, not happy when he