Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Schalke forward Leroy Sanè for £37 million.
The German international impressed in his breakout season which resulted in a call-up for EURO 2016. Although Sanè only played 11 minutes in France, at just 20 years old, he showed great potential.
Sanè will now compete with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Nolito, Jesus Navas, Samir Navas and Wilfried Bony for a place in the City squad. However on man that I feel that he won't have to compete with is Raheem Sterling.
Sterling has looked a shell of his former self since joining Man City from Liverpool from £50 million last year. After a shockingly poor display at EURO 2016, many fans have called for the Citizens to offload England's most expensive player.
Last season Sanè started 23 matches for Schalke scoring eight goals and assisting six. Sterling also started 23 games in the league last season, netting six time and getting just two further assists.
Being a year older than Sanè, a therefore a year further into his development, Sterling should be getting better number than Sanè, if he really was worth a record fee.
To make it worse for Sterling, Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Sanè and has been tracking him since his days at Bayer Leverkusen. Sanè even admitted that the former Barcelona manager was a key factor in him moving to Manchester.
When speaking to Sky Sports, former Manchester City player Dietmar Hamann said "If you look at the forward line they will probably play with one up top which will be Aguero. Behind you've got David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne who, when he is fit, will play.
"Then I think he'll probably come up against Raheem Sterling and, I've got to say, Raheem Sterling has pretty much stalled since he went to Manchester City.
"He's never showed the promise he showed at Liverpool earlier in his career, so I think Sterling will be the one who needs to pick it up.
"I think he will improve under Pep Guardiola - Leroy Sane said it himself - the biggest pull for him to come to Manchester City was to work with a manager who he knows will improve him."
Raheem Sterling should definitely be worked about his future at Manchester City. His opportunities will be limited this season, and when he gets them he needs to take them. We know that he's no stranger to putting up a fuss when he's unsettled at a club, and he's not afraid to be involved in a transfer saga.
Source: DSG
