Bayern chief shuts down Renato Sanches exit – “We will not sell him”

Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted the club will not sell Renato Sanches.

The midfielder recently bemoaned his lack of minutes after a brief substitute performance in Bayern’s 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin on the opening day of the Bundesliga season.

The rise and fall of Renato Sanches: Five things to know…

• • Sanches made his first-team debut at Benfica when he was just 18.
  • He became Bayern’s fourth most expensive signing ever in 2016.
  • He was named European Golden Boy in the same year.
  • However, since then he has struggled to make an impact.
  • His loan spell at Swansea in 2017/18 was regarded as a massive failure.

Sanches told the media after Bayern’s opening game that he was tired of spending his Bayern career sat on the bench.

He told Sport1: “Five minutes is not enough. The situation is not good for me, this is the second time I have wanted to leave the club and they have not let me go.”

But Rummenigge responded publicly shortly afterwards, underlining what he expects from the Portuguese youngster.

“It is not appropriate that you run away so angry here after the first or second game,” he said.

“We will not sell him, that will not work, he would do well to calm down.”

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Coutinho’s arrival is bad news for Sanches

Already behind the likes of Thiago Alcântara, Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso and Javi Martinez in the midfield pecking order, there is a fear for Sanches that the arrival of Philippe Coutinho means his game time will become even more limited.

Bayern have officially announced an agreement with Barcelona over a season-long loan deal for the creative midfielder after his spell in Spain fell short of expectations.

Sanches is still just 22 and, understandably, values regular game time highly as he attempts to fulfil his potential in Bavaria.

However, it seems he may have to make do as a back-up for the time being as Bayern appear determined to retain his services for the 2019/20 season.