Pep Guardiola ready to let star winger leave Manchester City

Bengaluru, July 19: Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has told contract rebel Leroy Sane he can leave the club if he is not happy at the Etihad.

Bayern Munich have made it no secret of their wish to sign Sane, who is valued at more than £90million. The German international has refused to sign a new deal at the Etihad despite months of talks and is into the final two years of his existing contract.

Guardiola remains a big fan of the former Schalke man, 23, and he shone as a second-half sub against West Ham on Wednesday (July 17).

When asked if he expects Sane to stay this summer, Guardiola said: “Yes.” But the City boss insists he does not want unhappy players in his squad, so Sane must make up his mind himself.

Guardiola said: “The club made him an offer last year and I’ve said it many times: we want people who are happy here.

“We are going to help him be the best he can be. We know his potential and what his level is. He has a special quality that is difficult to find around the world.

“But he knows — and they all know — it’s difficult due to the quality we have. The desire to have him with us is always there. And at the same time, I want people here to be happy. If they don’t want, they go.”

The 23-year-old is believed to have some doubts about how much he will play at City with the competition for places at the club. Meanwhile, the Premier League defeated West Ham United on Wednesday as they registered 4-1 win against former boss Manuel Pellegrini.

David Silva superbly cancelled out Mark Noble’s opener before Lukas Nmecha put the champions ahead from the spot. Then City went through the gears once more of their regular first-teamers were sent on, with Raheem Sterling scoring twice.

Kevin De Bruyne stayed on the bench but is eyeing the captain’s armband after Vincent Kompany left to become player-manager at Belgian side Anderlecht.

De Bruyne and veteran David Silva are believed to be the main contenders to take over and boss Guardiola is happy to let the players make the choice.

De Bruyne maintains they must do it when the whole squad are back from their various international commitments later this month.

The Belgian playmaker said: “If the team wants me to be captain, I will gladly accept it.

“But I think everyone needs to talk about it as a team and as a club. It will be spoken about when everyone comes back. I think we need to do that together because it’s a really important job — not only on the pitch but off it as well.”

However, even if David Silva becomes the skipper, De Bruyne will surely take over from him in near future as Silva is likely to play his last season for the Cityzens.