Manchester City will not sell Leroy Sané on the cheap this summer even though the forward has refused to extend a contract that expires at the end of next season.
Bayern Munich want to buy the 24-year-old but City will demand far more than the £30m the Bundesliga champions are expected to offer. Pep Guardiola believes Sané could be an important player next season having recovered from a long-term knee injury and the club would sooner lose the German for nothing in 12 months than sell at below their valuation.
It is unclear what impact coronavirus will have on Bayern’s transfer policy or the ability of other clubs to meet City’s demands but City do not believe Sané will try to force a move even though he see his future elsewhere.
Guardiola, confirming Sané had turned down a new deal, said: “I’m so disappointed. When we make an offer it’s because we want him; he’s got a special quality that is difficult to find. We tried before the injury [and] the surgery and after that and he rejected this offer. He has other wishes and I understand [but] we want players who want to commit and achieve our targets. I love him so much, he’s incredible, I’ve nothing against him – he wants another adventure.
“That happens and we’ll help him while he’s here, and focus on the players who want to stay. Leroy said he doesn’t want to extend – it means he wants to leave and he will leave this summer or next. The club talked to me and he’s rejected his contract and wants to play for another.”
Sané was an unused substitute in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Arsenal and remains in Guardiola’s first-team plans. “Step by step I will make a decision,” the manager said. “I have a big squad right now, everyone is fit. I will make decisions for many reasons.”
Guardiola confirmed David Silva and Claudio Bravo, whose contracts were due to expire this month, would stay until the end of the extended season. That will include participation in a Champions League mini-tournament in Portugal in August if City beat Real Madrid in their last-16 tie. Guardiola’s team lead 2-1 from the first leg but it is unclear whether the return can be hosted at the Etihad Stadium because of travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are going to adapt to what Uefa says,” Guardiola said. “It is an extraordinary situation all around the world. When the Premier League or Uefa says play away for health and security we are going to follow the instructions. We’d love to play at the Etihad, but we’ll adapt to what Uefa say.”
Eric García has been ruled out for up to 10 days because of the head injury suffered in the win over Arsenal. “You know the rule from the Premier League when it’s a concussion,” Guardiola said. “It has to be one week or 10 days. We saw him after [Friday’s] training session and he has a bit of damage to his face. He left the hospital and feels quite good, we are happy he’s back and hopefully in one week or 10 days he’ll be ready.”
John Stones was left out of the 20-man squad for Arsenal because of injury, Guardiola said. “He had a problem in his ankle and was not available. John is in the last part of his recovery.”