Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal back into one of the most attractive clubs around.
The Spaniard could have won more silverware for the Gunners – with only the FA Cup to show since his appointment in December 2019 – but his overall efforts cannot be ignored.
Arsenal were a mess before, and even shortly after, the 43-year-old replaced Unai Emery, spending six seasons outside of the UEFA Champions League between 2017 and 2023 , although Mikel Arteta has now secured qualification in three successive campaigns.
In the 2023/24 campaign – Arsenal’s first season back in Europe’s premier competition – Leroy Sane caused the Gunners all sorts of issues, but the German could soon be helping the north Londoners rather than hindering them.
Leroy Sane wants to join Arsenal
BILD in Germany now state that the Bayern Munich No.10 is very keen to join Arsenal this summer.
Sane – who Tottenham also want – officially becomes a free agent at the end of June when his contract expires, and is said to have lucrative offers on the table from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
However, the Germany international wants Arsenal.
🌩️ Sané's thunderbolt wins Goal of the Week! ⚽@Heineken || #UCLGOTW pic.twitter.com/qSqbJUPZ5p
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 3, 2024
BILD explain that the 29-year-old and his partner Candice Brook are eager to live in London, but crucially, have no interest in a move to Tottenham, leaving the Emirates Stadium as his most likely destination right now, it would seem.
Napoli and Saudi Pro League clubs are also interested – as are Newcastle, according to the German news outlet – but the switch to Arsenal is the only move Sane is said to be directly interested in exploring.
Mikel Arteta knows exactly what Leroy Sane can do after the German tormented Arsenal
As aforesaid, the winger caused Arsenal all sorts of problems in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal met Bayern Munich in the quarter-final stage, narrowly losing 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, which is where Sane made the difference.
The Essen-born forward embarked on a mazy run straight through the heart of Arsenal to win a penalty, which Harry Kane dispatched in the 32nd minute, a strike which ultimately proved decisive in sending Bayern Munich through.
This run from Leroy Sane to win the penalty against Arsenal 🤯⚡️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/TRmTQD5w7p
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2024
Overall, Sane – who has previously praised Arteta after working with him at Manchester City – registered one key pass, two successful dribbles and four successful ground duels on that April evening, in what was a tremendous display.
Arsenal will bid for Leroy Sane
The feeling appears to be mutual.
Respected Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu claimed that Arsenal will make a bid for Sane when covering claims of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce holding an interest.
It remains to be seen how much Arsenal offer the attacker, but if a respectable contract is put on the table, it feels likely it’ll be signed after what BILD have now reported.