Arsenal have reached a full agreement to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi for £51million and the Gunners have wasted no time in identifying their next target
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 10: Leroy Sane of Bayern Muenchen in action during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Allianz Arena on May 10, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images)
Leroy Sane could soon be a free agent(Image: Stefan Matzke - sampics/Getty Images)
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.
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The Arsenal manager coached Sane at the Etihad before he joined Bayern for an initial £41million in 2020. 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.
Should Arsenal sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer? Have your say in the comments section.
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 in Manchester, north west England on September 18, 2018, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League first round football match between Manchester City and Lyon. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Leroy Sane worked with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City
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."
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