Arsenal’s hopes of adding Leroy Sane to their attacking arsenal have been officially dashed. According to a report by Christian Falk on CF Bayern Insider, the Bayern Munich winger has rejected interest from the Gunners and agreed a new long-term deal to stay at the Allianz Arena — even on reduced terms.
Arsenal’s hunt for a wide attacker hits a snag
Mikel Arteta’s side are actively scouring the market ahead of the summer transfer window for an elite wide attacker. It’s no secret that the Gunners have been overly reliant on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in recent seasons, with little quality cover beyond the starting duo. Strengthening the flanks is seen as a priority if Arsenal are to maintain their domestic and European ambitions next season.
Leroy Sane, with his proven Premier League pedigree and consistent output at the highest level, was seen as a dream solution. The German international had entered the final few months of his previous Bayern Munich contract, fuelling speculation of a potential Bosman move. Arsenal, among other European giants, were monitoring the situation closely — hopeful of striking a major coup.
However, hopes have now been extinguished.
Sane commits to Bayern — at a reduced price
Sane has officially decided to extend his stay in Bavaria, opting for security and familiarity over a return to England. In a surprising twist, he has even agreed to a significant pay cut to facilitate the renewal.
The 29-year-old’s new deal reportedly sees his annual salary drop from €15 million to €10 million — a considerable sacrifice in today’s market, and a clear signal of his commitment to Bayern’s long-term project under Max Eberl and Vincent Kompany.
There is little clarity over whether Arsenal would have matched or exceeded Sane’s €15 million-a-year previous demands. In truth, the financial framework likely wasn’t the biggest hurdle — it was the player’s preference to remain in Germany that ultimately swung the decision.
What Arsenal miss out on
Sane has enjoyed a strong 2024/25 season for Bayern, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists across 42 appearances in all competitions. While he has not always been an undisputed starter — rotated in a squad packed with elite talent — his productivity and experience at the top level remain unquestionable.
Having previously lit up the Premier League during his time at Manchester City, Sane’s addition would have offered Arsenal an immediate injection of pace, technical brilliance, and goal threat from wide areas.
With Sane off the table, the Gunners must now turn their attention elsewhere. Names like Pedro Neto, Michael Olise, and Xavi Simons have also been linked, but securing a player of Sane’s calibre and experience for free would have been a rare opportunity.
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The search continues — and the pressure is on Arsenal’s recruitment team to find the right fit as they look to close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool in the 2025/26 title race.
