Niko Kovac wants Renato Sanches to stay at Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac wants Renato Sanches to stay at the club beyond this summer.
The Bundesliga champions are undergoing a huge squad overhaul this summer. Die Roten has already released numerous senior players while Mats Hummels has sealed a move back to Borussia Dortmund. There has been growing uncertainty over the future of some fringe players at Bayern Munich.
Renato Sanches is one of these players who want to seek a move away from Bavaria this summer. The Portuguese midfielder publicly expressed his frustration about lack of gametime under Niko Kovac last season.
Sanches is currently on the pre-season tour with Bayern. Earlier today, the former Benfica midfielder told media (via Bundesliga.com) that Niko Kovac is eager to keep him at Die Roten beyond this summer. Sanches further added that he is settled in Bavaria but wants assurances of regular gametime during next season.
"“I just want what’s best for me. If the best for me is to stay here, I’ll stay. I want to play football.”“We’ve spoken about everything. We’ve talked about my situation and training. He (Kovac) told me that he’s going to give me and the other players a chance to prove ourselves. Me and the other players, we’re starting from zero. I think he needs me because I’m a good player and the club believes in me.”"
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The Portuguese midfielder has endured a torrid time since making the big move to Bayern from Benfica in 2016. He has struggled to display his talent regularly, which made him one of the most exciting young talents in Europe. The disastrous loan spell at Swansea in 2017/18 season put a massive dent to his development.
Kovac was desperate to get the best out of Sanches. The Croatian urged Sanches to stay at Bayern last summer when numerous reports were linking him to different clubs. Sanches was determined to repay the faith shown by Kovac as he made a promising start to the 2018/19 season.
Things started looking bad for Sanches after Kovac stuck with a fixed lineup during the second half of the season. The Portugal international struggled to get minutes that eventually forced him to reconsider his future at the club. Paris Saint Germain has shown interest in the 21-year-old midfielder, while Fenerbahce has also been loosely linked with him.
Bayern decided against making James Rodriguez’s transfer permanent. His departure would open more chances for Sanches, but the German club is keen on signing a midfielder this summer. Espanyol’s Marc Roca has been heavily linked with a move to Bavaria.
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Kovac surely likes Sanches but the player might force a move this summer if Die Roten adds another midfielder to the squad. The Bundesliga champions might have to accept the player’s wish as his current contract expires in 2021. It will be interesting to see whether Bayern look for a replacement if Sanches ends up leaving the club this summer.