MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 07:04:14| >> :120:28792:28792:

Pep Guardiola: 'No hard feelings with Leroy Sane after rejected contract'

Pep Guardiola: 'No hard feelings with Leroy Sane after rejected contract'
© Reuters
Bayern Munich are overwhelming favourites to secure the winger's signature, with a deal possible in the summer.

Leroy Sane's days at Manchester City appear to be numbered after manager Pep Guardiola revealed the winger has rejected a new contract and is seeking a move elsewhere.

Sane still has another year left on his existing deal and City had hoped to tempt the German to put pen to paper on fresh terms, but the 24-year-old has decided his future lies away from the club.

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are overwhelming favourites to secure Sane's signature, although Guardiola is in no rush to offload a player who he signed in 2016 from Schalke for an initial £37million fee.

"Leroy has said he doesn't want to extend the contract next season, so it means he wants to leave and it's going to happen this summer or when he is out of contract," Guardiola said.

"The club offered him two or three times to extend his contract, he rejected it so he wants to play for another club.

"If at the end of this season there is an agreement from both clubs, he's going to leave, if not he's going to stay one more year until he is out of contract."

Sane has not featured for City since suffering cruciate ligament damage during the Community Shield last August, and was an unused substitute as City resumed their Premier League campaign on Wednesday against Arsenal.

He has been nurtured during his time at the Etihad Stadium by Guardiola, who insists there would be no hard feelings if Sane does depart for pastures new.

Pep Guardiola, right, insists there would be no hard feelings if Leroy Sane left Manchester City (Martin Rickett/PA)
Pep Guardiola, right, insists there would be no hard feelings if Leroy Sane left Manchester City (Martin Rickett/PA)

"When we make an offer to a player, it's because we want him," Guardiola added.

"He's a young player with incredible potential, a special quality that is difficult to find all around the world but we tried before the injury, we tried again but he rejected it. He has other wishes and I understand.

"We want players who want to play with this club, we want full commitment to try to achieve our targets. But of course we respect (his decision). He's an incredibly nice guy, we love him, I love him so much.

"I have nothing against him, he's just decided he wants to make another adventure for his career and he doesn't want to stay, so when that's happened, we're going to help him until the last day he's here."

City restarted their top-flight campaign in ideal fashion in midweek, easing to a 3-0 victory over Arsenal, while they are back in action on Monday evening against Burnley.

John Stones is a doubt for City's game against Burnley (Martin Rickett/PA)
John Stones is a doubt for City's game against Burnley (Martin Rickett/PA)

However, victory over the Gunners came at a cost as Guardiola revealed Eric Garcia suffered a concussion after a nasty accidental collision with team-mate Ederson in the closing stages.

"We saw Eric yesterday and of course he has damaged his face. He left hospital and he feels quite good after what happened," Guardiola said.

"As you know, the Premier League rules that when there's a concussion, it's a protocol to be one week to 10 days off."

Fellow defender John Stones (ankle) and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (muscular problem) are doubts for the visit of the Clarets after being absent in the win over Arsenal.

Guardiola revealed Bravo and midfielder David Silva will remain at City until the 2019-20 campaign is complete, having initially been due to leave at the end of June following the expiry of their contracts.

ID:403061: cacheID:403061:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8166:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly pictured in October 2019
Read Next:
Friday's papers: Kalidou Koulibaly, Kai Havertz, David Luiz
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!