Bayern Munich, Manchester City reach deal over Leroy Sane transfer
CGTN
Leroy Sane of Manchester City in the Premier League game against Burnley at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, June 22. /VCG

Leroy Sane of Manchester City in the Premier League game against Burnley at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, June 22. /VCG

Bayern Munich are finally landing Leroy Sane, a target they have been yearning for a while from Manchester City at a surprisingly economical price of 54.8 million pounds (about 67.9 million U.S. dollars).

According to Sky Sports, the 24-year-old German winger will sign a five-year deal with the Bundesliga champions, further expanding Bayern's contribution to the German national team.

The transfer fee of Sane will contain an initial part of 44.7 million pounds (about 55.4 million U.S. dollars) and a series of performance and trophy-related add-ons. Moreover, if Bayern sell Sane to another club in the future, Man City will receive 10 percent of the profit.

Though German website Transfermarkt estimated Sane's value at 80 million euros (about 89.7 million U.S. dollars) and Man City claimed that they will not compromise, the truth was, Sane refused to extend his contract with Man City, and the club will need to start saving money since they will miss the UEFA Champions League next season.

Manuel Neuer (C) of Bayern Munich lifts the Bundesliga championship trophy to celebrate after a 4-0 win over VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, June 27, 2020. /VCG

Manuel Neuer (C) of Bayern Munich lifts the Bundesliga championship trophy to celebrate after a 4-0 win over VfL Wolfsburg at Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany, June 27, 2020. /VCG

Having played 135 games for Man City, Sane scored 39 goals and 45 assists for the club. Bayern will need his speed, passing and penetration to remake the team's winger pair.

Transfer window opened on Wednesday for Bundesliga and the closing date was extended to October 5, 35 days later than usual, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Because of the coronavirus crisis and the resulting shifts in seasons, national and international adjustments to the transfer windows are necessary, so that the previous period (July 1 to August 31, 2020) had to be updated. We have now made this adjustment together with the DFL and in coordination with FIFA," said Peter Frymuth, DFB Vice President for Match Operations and Football Development.

After the coronavirus hit, Ligue 1 cancelled the 2019-20 season. The other four though managed to bring the games back, the beginning of the 2020-21 season will inevitably be postponed. Therefore, teams will understandably need more time to manage their franchises.