Football
8y

Leroy Sane can decide own future amid Manchester City links - father

Schalke winger Leroy Sane's father is "proud" his son is attracting interest after he was linked with Manchester City but said the Germany international can decide his own future.

Sane, 19, has been one of the Bundesliga's emerging stars this season and reports in the German and English media have claimed City are weighing up a bid in the region of €55 million.

On Tuesday, both his agent and Schalke ruled out a transfer in the January transfer window, with the club's chairman, Clemens Tonnies, saying they had decided to not sell the player. 

Souleymane Sane -- who works for his son's agent, Jurgen Milewski -- told Bild: "Of course I'm proud that my son is attracting attention with good performances.

"But I don't want to say anything about alleged offers from Manchester City or elsewhere."

Sane Sr., a former Senegal international, added: "My door is always open, should he need advice, but Leroy is a grown man, and therefore old enough to do his own thing and decide what he wants. He knows that I will always have his back."

Schalke sporting executive Horst Heldt said on Wednesday that "there is no offer" but added: "It would be wrong to not prepare for all contingencies ... We are experienced enough. But we have learnt one thing: To only deal with issues in concrete terms once they are actually tangible. That is not the case right now, but it's clear to us that this issue will drag on, unless the player no longer plays well."

Sane Jr. and the other Schalke players are currently in Florida, where they are preparing for the second half of the Bundesliga season.

The Royal Blues are currently sixth in the league, and are only two points away from Borussia Monchengladbach, who currently hold the crucial fourth spot that secures a place in the Champions League playoffs.

In a bid to create more competition in the Schalke squad, they are set to sign Dinamo Kiev attacking midfielder Younes Belhanda on a six-month loan.

Heldt confirmed to reporters on Tuesday that only "minor details" are left to be sorted out.

Heldt, who will leave the club at the end of the season, added that he "could not confirm" that the loan deal includes an option to buy the Morocco international in the summer.

Schalke coach Andre Breitenreiter said the deal was "a win/win situation" for player and club.

"It's important for us that we increase the competition," he said.

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