If a Manchester City cult hero signs for Arsenal would that diminish his standing at City? | OneFootball

One player who is a cult hero amongst Manchester City fans is Leroy Sane. The German international had an impressive spell with the club before moving to Bayern Munich. During his time at the club, he made 135 appearances and scored 39 goals and contributed 43 assists. But it was the manner of Sane’s play that has seen him attain cult hero status amongst the Manchester City fanbase.

But now a new report indicates that one of City’s fiercest modern-day rivals has an interest in signing Leroy Sane in the summer. That is Arsenal. Christian Falk has reported for CaughtOffside that the Gunners have an interest in bringing Sane back to the Premier League. Furthermore, Falk reports that Sane’s contract expires at the end of the season and his talks with Bayern Munich over a new deal have stalled. This may give Arsenal a chance to sign Sane in the summer.

As it stands there doesn’t appear to be any chance of Manchester City bringing Leroy Sane back to the club. With his age profile he doesn’t seem to fit the profile of players City will look to add to their rebuild. But based on Falk’s new report the possibility of Sane joining a rival of the world champions does appear to be real. Would that diminish Sane’s standing at Manchester City? That’s an interesting topic to ponder.

Leroy Sane in an Arsenal shirt playing against Manchester City would be a tough pill to swallow.

Sane is held in high regard amongst the Etihad faithful. I’ve often believed that the memory of Leroy Sane at City doesn’t line up with his actual production at the club. But that’s another discussion. But if he were to join one of Manchester City’s main rivals, it would be tough to see him play in the Premier League for another club. It would especially be a tough situation if he did sign for Arsenal and seeing Sane play against Pep Guardiola’s side. Something about that scenario doesn’t sit right. We have seen Sane play against Manchester City for Bayern Munich previously but playing for Mikel Arteta’s side is a different situation entirely. Sane running down the wing at the Etihad for Arsenal against City in a crucial Premier League fixture just wouldn’t feel right. But that is the way of the game. If, hypothetically, Sane did help Arsenal beat City that would just sting. Hopefully, it isn’t a scenario we see come to fruition in the summer.

The possibility that Leroy Sane returns to the Premier League does seem to be in play. That could be at Arsenal based on Christian Falk’s new report. But if Sane does sign for Mikel Arteta’s side would it change his standing at Manchester City? That depends on if he does and how it plays out. If he plays a crucial role in an Arsenal win over City, that may change City’s fans’ point of view on Sane. Although, it won’t eradicate what he achieved at Manchester City. But it just wouldn’t be something City fans would like to see happen so, hopefully, Sane stays at Bayern or lands anywhere other than Arsenal in the summer.