This ex-Premier League winger turned down a transfer to Arsenal but now finds himself out of favour and assessing his future options
Leroy Sane of Galatasaray looks on during the Turkish Super League 2026/27 match between Galatasaray SK and Goztepe SK
Ex-Arsenal target Leroy Sane is reportedly unsettled at Galatasaray(Image: Getty)
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Leroy Sane snubbed Arsenal last summer to join Galatasaray. But the ex- Manchester City winger has been dropped in Turkey and is thought to be weighing up his future.
Sane starred for City from 2016 until 2020, scoring 39 goals in 135 appearances and winning two Premier League titles, a pair of Carabao Cups and the FA Cup. He left for Bayern Munich, where, during his five-year stint, he won the Bundesliga four times.
But last summer, his Bayern contract was up and he sought pastures new. Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the German as manager Mikel Arteta had worked closely with Sane during his spell as an assistant at the Etihad. Sane's representatives reportedly held talks with the Gunners' hierarchy, yet his wage demands proved to be an issue.
In the end, Sane turned down a move to the Emirates Stadium after Galatasaray swiftly offered him lucrative financial terms and an immediate starting role. But now the 30-year-old finds himself relegated to the bench and once more considering his future, according to Turkish newspaper Sabah.
Speaking last summer after putting pen to paper on his Galatasaray contract, Sane hinted that other clubs, presumably including Arsenal, were in for him. He said: "There were many offers.
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"But Galatasaray as a whole impressed me greatly. I was very impressed by the atmosphere, the size of the club, how much they wanted me and how much interest they showed in me.
Manchester City's English defender Kyle Walker (2L), Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (C), Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane (centre R), and Spanish assitant coach Mikel Arteta (3R) attend a training session at City Football Academy
Arteta coached Sane at City(Image: Getty)
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"That's why I'm here at Galatasaray. The atmosphere here was always amazing. It was very, very loud. That's why I'm happy to be here. I can't wait to play my first game in front of the fans."
Sane enjoyed a stellar debut season in the Super Lig, making 28 league appearances and recording seven goals and five assists as Galatasaray won the title.
However, in Europe, he underwhelmed and was dropped for a Champions League round of 16 second leg against Liverpool, after which his team were eliminated from the competition.
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Leroy Sane of Galatasaray warms up ahead of a pre-season friendly match between Galatasaray and Italy's Venezia FC at Hofmann Personal Stadion
The German is now thought to be considering his options(Image: Getty)
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Manager Okan Buruk's system has been altered and Rafael Leao has been signed from AC Milan. Reports from Turkey claim that Sane is unhappy with a reduced role at the start of the current campaign.
He has supposedly spoken to Galatasaray chiefs about this, with the German making it clear he will not settle for cameos off the bench.
Sane started Galatasaray's opening league match of the season but has been dropped for the following two, with Yunus Akgun coming in. Leao's presence on the left could further reduce his minutes.
Whether this opens the exit door for Sane only time will tell. Arsenal also wouldn't be able to offer him a place in the first XI, but they have been left light on the left side of attack after letting both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli leave with only Christos Tzolis arriving this summer.