Why Newcastle and Arsenal links with former Man City star should be taken with a pinch of salt

Newcastle United are targeting a winger as they prepare for another crucial transfer window in the new year.

The summer transfer window proved to be somewhat underwhelming for the Magpies as Eddie Howe’s squad was left short in several key areas. The prolonged attempts to secure a deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi came to an unsuccessful end in the final hours of the window and a bizarrely late move for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga also met a similar end. Talk of disharmony between several key figures at the club, including manager Eddie Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell, may well have dominated the early weeks of September - but there is a belief that a united front (pun intended!) has been found and the Magpies are making some serious plans for the January transfer window.

A centre-back remains high on the agenda and talk of a reignited their failed moves for Guehi and Elanga have been suggested by various media outlets. A striker is viewed as a preference as Callum Wilson enters the final six months of his current deal in the new year and last season’s top goalscorer Alexander Isak is believed to be in talks over a new contract amid reported interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. However, a winger appears to be more of a priority and that has led to somewhat surprising links with a former Manchester City star that could be available on a free transfer next summer.

Journalist Ekrem Konur posted on X: “Barcelona, Arsenal, and Newcastle are all race to sign the 28-year-old German winger Leroy Sane, whose contract with Bayern Munich will expire next summer. Sane currently earns a high salary at Bayern Munich, which could be a decisive factor in the transfer process. Bayern Munich is in talks to renew his contract but is asking for a pay cut. This situation creates uncertainty about Sane’s future and attracts interest from other clubs.”

Sane would appear to be a prudent addition given he will be out of contract at Bayern next summer and would technically be a ‘free transfer’. However, there is really no such thing as a free transfer these days and becoming a free agent simply means being able to command a higher signing-on fees and increased weekly wage demands. There is no doubt Sane would be a strong addition to the Newcastle squad and would improve the Magpies in wide areas - but for what would qualify as a big name signing, he does not fit into the age profile that the St James Park hierarchy have worked within when it comes to any signing with a sizeable outlay.

Sane will turn 29-years-old in late January and Newcastle have preferred to bring in players that are able to grow with the club, rather than moving for players heading towards 30, Of course, there have been exceptions, such as Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope - but both were viewed as necessary additions, with Trippier seen as a catalyst to attract big name signings in the aftermath of his arrival on Tyneside in January 2022. What has followed has shown a clear preference for players that are able to grow with Newcastle with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon all arriving at the club before they had turned 23.

Sane may well get a big move next summer and there is no surprise to see some big name clubs linked with his signature. However, there is always a need to take such talk with a pinch of salt and the indication Bayern are keen to extend his current deal would hint such reports could well be a negotiating tactic from the player, his agent, the club itself, or a combination of all three. One thing is for certain, for all of his unquestionable class, quality and ability, it would be a shock to see the former Manchester City winger wearing the black and white of Newcastle next season.