Leroy Sane laughing during a Bayern Munich training session
Leroy Sane is linked with a return to the Premier League before his Bayern Munich contract expires
Leroy Sane reputedly no longer has Mikel Arteta's mobile number five years after the Arsenal manager left Manchester City.
Sane joined City a month after Arteta was appointed an assistant coach, and they worked together for three-and-a-half years under Pep Guardiola. They then left the club within seven months of each other, first Arteta to Arsenal and then Sane to Bayern Munich.
The winger turned down a contract extension in the same summer as signing for the German giants, agreeing a five-year deal days after entering the final 12 months of his City contract. Now, four-and-a-half years later, Sane is again in a similar situation.
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Christian Falk, head of football at the German tabloid Bild but writing for the Daily Briefing, claims it remains to be seen whether Bayern will give the player a new contract before his current deal expires at the end of this season. That is despite Falk believing Sane would accept a reduction in his wages, which are said to be over £300,000 per week.
The uncertainty surrounding that situation led to reports linking Arsenal and Manchester United with the Germany international. Sane can sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs after entering the final six months of his deal on New Year's Day.
However, it's unlikely he'll be calling Arteta anytime soon, as Falk claims Sane has told him he no longer has the coach's number after putting that question to the player. The journalist adds that they are not close and believes it is not much of an advantage for Arsenal that they merely know each other.
He also highlights the problems Sane experienced while at City, namely in training regarding his mentality during sessions. All that suggests United are not necessarily at a disadvantage compared to Arsenal, although Falk insists there is no serious interest from either club at this stage.
The Bild journalist said: "With regard to Leroy Sane and a possible reunion with former Manchester City employee Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, some always thought, “Ah well, they know each other”, and so perhaps this could be a little like Vincent Kompany and Sane who played together.
"However, I’ve heard that the connection is not so strong. Leroy Sane always had a few problems at City because of his training mentality. So, Arteta and Sane are not so close.
"I’ve been asking Leroy if he still has Arteta’s mobile number and he said, ‘No.’ It’s not so big an advantage that they simply know each other."