Is Leroy Sané Going To Sign A New Long-Term Contract At Bayern Munich?

In the 27th minute, between Bayern Munich and Mainz, Leroy Sané got on the end of a great combination between Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry to give his club the lead. It was the first of three Bayern goals that afternoon as the Rekordmeister beat Mainz 3-0 with Michael Olise (40’) and Eric Dier (84’) scoring the two other goals.

The goal against Mainz was Sané’s tenth goal in 27 Bundesliga games this season. It is the first time, that Sané has hit double-digits in league goals for Bayern. The last time the 29-year-old managed more than ten goals in the league was back in 2018/19 when he scored ten goals and 11 assists in 31 Premier League games.

In the four Bundesliga campaigns with Bayern, Sané managed six goals and nine assists in 2020/21, seven goals and seven assists in 2021/22, eight goals and seven assists in 2022/2, and then eight goals and 11 assists last season. Last year, under Thomas Tuchel, Sané spectacularly started the season forming a dangerous partnership with Harry Kane.

Injuries then, however, derailed the campaign and also made Sané a non-factor for Germany at Euro 2024. According to Transfermarkt, issues with his pubic bone slowed the winger down for much of the second half of last season. A groin surgery in August then meant that Sané wouldn’t start the season with full fitness.

As a result, Sané only scored one goal and one assist in his first nine Bundesliga games this season. From matchday 14 onwards, or rather in his last 18 Bundesliga games, Sané has managed an impressive nine goals and four assists.

Only Harry Kane (24 goals and nine assists) and Jamal Musiala (12 goals and four assists) have been more prolific than Sané for Bayern in the Bundesliga this season. According to FBREF, when compared to positional peers in the big five leagues, Sané ranks 92nd percentile with 0.45 non-penalty goals and 98th percentile with 14.75 progressive passes per 90 minutes.

In other words, Sané’s numbers have been elite. With all that in mind, it isn’t surprising then that Bayern after months of speculations is in talks to renew the deal with Sané, who was set to become a free agent this upcoming summer.

Germany’s Sport Bild reported earlier this week that a deal had been reached. According to that report, Bayern and Sané had agreed to a new three-year contract worth €10 million ($11.4 million) a season plus €5 million ($5.7 million) in potential bonuses.

That report, however, was played down by Bayern on Saturday. “What you read is not true,” director of sport Max Eberl said after the Mainz game on Saturday in the mixed zone. “We haven’t reached an agreement and haven’t signed a contract yet. But it’s no secret that we’re in talks. We’ll see what happens.”

History suggests that a deal is indeed close. Ultimately, Sané, who also has a significant offer from Saudi side Al-Ittihad worth €25 million ($28.5 million) a season, wants to stay in Munich. Bayern, too, appreciate the player.

What Bayern didn’t appreciate was the amount of money Sané was earning. According to Capology, Sané earned up to €20 million ($22.8 million) a season at the Rekordmeister. With Bayern signing the likes of Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Joshua Kimmich to expensive new deals, the club must bring down salaries in other areas of the squad.

Sané belongs to a group of players—the other stars are Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka, and Serge Gnabry— whose salaries had to be either cut or brought down significantly. As a result, there have been speculations that the winger could leave Bayern this summer.

With Sané now making concessions regarding his salary, there is now a very good chance the 29-year-old will remain in the Bavarian capital. Indeed, an argument could be made that it would be more expensive to bring in a new player to replace Sané’s productivity than signing him to a new much-reduced contract.