Premier League clubs are on red alert after Bayern Munich outcast Renato Sanches confirmed his intention to leave the club this summer.
The 21-year-old joined the Bavarians from Benfica in 2016 but has been unable to hold down a regular first-team spot.
Could Sanches leave Bayern? Five key things to know…
- Sanches joined Bayern from Benfica for £30m in 2016.
- The midfielder struggled to break into the first team during his maiden campaign and was subsequently loaned out.
- He joined Swansea City last season but an injury-hit year hindered his progress in Wales as the club were relegated.
- Sanches has since returned to Bayern but he has again been unable to cement a regular starting berth.
- The Portugal international has admitted he wants to leave the Bundesliga giants.
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A temporary stint at the Liberty Stadium with Swansea City last season failed to get his career back on track after initially exploding onto the scene with Aguias as a prodigiously gifted young talent.
Niko Kovac was appointed Bayern boss last summer, but Sanches has again been unable to supplant those in front of him, with his last Bundesliga start coming in November.
The Portuguese now believes it is time to move on, and when quizzed on whether he should begin his search for a new home now, he told Bild: “I think so. Whether a loan or a sale is better, we will see.”
Bayern edged past Werder Bremen 1-0 in a crucial clash at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, with Sanches making an appearance in the 87th minute for Serge Gnabry, but he has now hit out at Kovac for affording him such little time to make a meaningful contribution.
He added: “Everyone knows I want to play more. Five minutes is not enough! To play is what I love. I do my best in every training session.
“The coach knows that, my team-mates too. I always have to be ready. I’ll do my best for those five minutes. I have the self-confidence. And I’m playing well if I get the chance.”
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Sanches aiming to get career back on track
Moving to one of the biggest clubs in Europe was always going to be a tall order for the talented tyro, but the Euro 2016 winner is confident his career can still reach the heights of his early promise.
Sanches’ inauspicious loan spell with the Swans failed to yield a positive outcome, but he is now hoping the future holds a more optimistic outlook for his career.
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“It’s tough right now. But I still have 15 years left of my career. The future can be good,” he added.
“I do not know yet. We will see what is best for me. I just want to play.”