DOUBLE DEAL: Arsenal completes another transfer deal hours after announcing the first one
Arsenal want to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer which would see Mikel Arteta reunite with another former Manchester City star.
The Gunners plan to make a fast start to the summer transfer window, having agreed personal terms with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of activating his £51million release clause.
Mikel Arteta’s next priority is to refresh his goal-shy attack. Arsenal are expected to finally sign a striker this summer but Arteta also wants to target a winger – and that’s where Sane comes in.
The 29-year-old is on course to become a free agent next month when his contract with Bayern Munich expires. Sane’s agent was due to meet Bayern chiefs on Wednesday to discuss his future, with previous talks not yielding an agreement.
It was claimed this week that north London rivals Tottenham had been offered the chance to sign Sane, as the uncertainty over his future goes on. If the Germany international doesn’t sign a new deal, he’ll available on a free transfer.
The Times report that Arsenal are showing strong interest in Sane, with several other teams monitoring his situation. But Arteta could use his personal touch to get a deal over the line, having already signed ex-City stars Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
His current contract, which is scheduled to expire on June 30, sees him £220,000 per week. Earlier this month, the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions made a proposal worth roughly £153,000 per week plus around £90,000 in weekly bonuses.
Sane isn’t Arsenal’s only option, though. It’s added in the report that the Gunners are long-time admirers of Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams and met with the Spaniard’s representatives in April.
Williams, 22, has a £42m release clause but he’s demanding wages of more than £250,000 per week. Barcelona tried to sign him last summer but president Joan Laporta recently confirmed that he’s no longer considered a target.
The prospect of signing Sane on a free could be more enticing for Arsenal, though, especially given how much a striker could cost. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund gave an update on the winger’s future following their 4-0 win against Hoffenheim on the final day of the Bundesliga season.
“There is currently no agreement, that’s true,” Freund revealed to Sky Germany. “The talks have been ongoing for some time now, but they are good talks. We’ll see if there is an agreement in the next few days or weeks.”
