Manchester United face setback in chase for 28-year-old Bundesliga player as Arsenal shows interest: Reports

Leroy Sane reportedly favors a move to Arsenal over Manchester United, according to Caught Offside. The German forward, whose contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of the season, has yet to sign a renewal.

The 28-year-old is no stranger to the Premier League, having previously played for Manchester City. During his time at the Etihad Stadium, Sane worked closely with Mikel Arteta, who is now keen to reunite with him in north London.

Arsenal strengthened their attack this summer by bringing in Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea. However, a permanent deal for the England international appears unlikely. As a result, the Gunners see Sane as the ideal successor to Sterling. They will, however, face stiff competition from Manchester United.

The Red Devils, under new manager Ruben Amorim, are gearing up for a squad overhaul in 2025, particularly in attack, where their performances have been underwhelming. Amorim, who succeeded Erik ten Hag, is expected to make significant investments to revitalize the team.

Sane has struggled for consistent playing time under Vincent Kompany this season, with three goals in 11 appearances but only two starts for Bayern Munich. This lack of game time could influence Bayern’s stance on his future. Arsenal and Newcastle United reportedly explored a January move for Sane, but Bayern is unwilling to let him go without a substantial fee.

Additionally, reports suggest Sane’s family struggled to settle in Manchester during his time at City, making a move to London more appealing and potentially diminishing United’s chances of signing him.

Sane might not be the only Bundesliga star drawing attention from Arsenal and Manchester United. The Gunners have maintained interest in Benjamin Sesko, after failing to secure the RB Leipzig striker this summer. Arsenal is still searching for a reliable No. 9, as Gabriel Jesus has yet to make a significant impact.

Sesko has impressed this season, contributing seven goals and three assists in 15 appearances for Leipzig. Although he signed a new contract with the club, the Slovenian forward could be available in 2025 for a reported fee of €70-75 million. United, seeking to solve their goal-scoring issues, are also closely monitoring the 21-year-old’s situation.