Despite making substantial changes to the squad in the summer, Manchester City continues to struggle with the same kind of inconsistency issues that plagued the club last season.
Just two wins in the last five matches and five defeats already this season are ominous signs for the club and manager Manuel Pellegrini. As Pep Guardiola waits on the wing, the Chilean will be aware that results will have to improve soon.
The club are desperate to improve the team in the January transfer window even though the manager has stated that it will be relatively quiet.
According to the Guardian, City are ready to make a move for Schalke forward Leroy Sané.
Sané, 19, has scored five goals and made five assists in 21 appearances for Schalke in all competitions this term. He is amongst the few teenagers to have caught the eye of the big clubs in the last 12 months.
The only aspect that may be holding off City might be the transfer fee demanded by the German outfit.
Despite being ready to pay around £32 million for a prodigious talent, Schalke does not appear willing to sell at this price.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is capable of playing across the front three while also in some deeper positions. He will undoubtedly provide a lot of versatility to the team.
Pellegrini is thought to be dissatisfied with winger Jesus Navas, who has not scored in more than 60 league games. The performances of the former Sevilla winger have not been up to the mark, and this is an area where City are reportedly targeting some additions. Leroy Sané will fit perfectly well into such a position.
After all, his best performances have come on this side of the pitch. He has also tried to lead the line but with limited success. Sané will be able to fill in the gap should either Sergio Aguero or Wilfried Bony be unavailable at the same time.
City have recently been targeting players of a versatile nature. The signings of Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne is a perfect example of this case. Sané maybe a similar player on paper, but he will provide the necessary reinforcements should either one of them be unavailable. Further, the 19-year-old will also be one for the future.
There will be competition for the German international, and it is likely to arrive from Real Madrid. The Spanish giants reportedly see him as the perfect replacement for Isco, who is believed to be on his way out at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Schalke general manager Horst Heldt, though, dismissed any possibility of a sale at around £30 million. “We don’t want to sell him, and Leroy doesn’t want to leave the club. Even Man City haven’t got that much money!” said Heldt.
