Leroy Sane last played for Manchester City in the Community Shield match against Liverpool in August, 2019. Getty
Leroy Sane last played for Manchester City in the Community Shield match against Liverpool in August, 2019. Getty
Leroy Sane last played for Manchester City in the Community Shield match against Liverpool in August, 2019. Getty
Leroy Sane last played for Manchester City in the Community Shield match against Liverpool in August, 2019. Getty

Football

Manchester City will not allow Leroy Sane to join Bayern Munich in cut-price deal

Premier League club happy for winger to enter final year of his contract, as reports suggest Bundesliga champions are preparing £35m offer

The National

May 06, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester City are prepared to allow Leroy Sane to enter the final year of his contract rather than let him join Bayern Munich in a cut-price deal.

The 24-year-old made a £37 million (Dh168m) switch from Schalke to the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signing a five-year deal with Pep Guardiola's side.

Sane was the subject of a public pursuit last summer as Bayern Munich pushed to sign a winger, only to be quoted a reported £135m before the player suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Community Shield.

The player would not fetch those sort of figures now, given he is entering the final 12 months of his contract and the coronavirus pandemic’s likely impact on transfer fees in the future.

Talk of a move to the perennial Bundesliga champions has continued to rumble on and a report emerged in Germany on Wednesday that they were preparing to start the bidding with a £35m offer.

But the PA news agency have reported that would be considered a derisory bid and would only antagonise City.

The reigning Premier League champions would rather risk Sane leaving on a free transfer at the end of his contract than allow him to go on the cheap to Bayern.

The Germany international was nearing a comeback when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, having returned to training towards the end of January and seen some action for the under-23s.

Sane has won two Premier League titles during his time at City, along with the FA Cup, two League Cup crowns and the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2017-18.

More on this story:
While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

While you're here

The Outsider

Stephen King, Penguin

match details

Wales v Hungary

Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm

While you're here
While you're here
Bayern MunichManchester City