Transfer news and rumours: Bayern Munich join Manchester City in Leroy Sane hunt; Arsenal target defenders

All the latest transfer news and gossip on Tuesday 19 July

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Bayern Munich have joined Manchester City in the hunt to sign Schalke and Germany winger Leroy Sane, according to reports by the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday morning.

Pep Guardiola, the City manager, is braced for a battle with his former employers as the £40m-rated star looks destined to leave the Bundesliga club this summer, with a move to the Etihad still appearing the most likely outcome.

Sane’s father, Souleymane, poured more scorn on those suggestions, however, when he insisted the two biggest La Liga clubs are also interested in securing his son’s services before the new campaign gets underway. “Real Madrid and Bayern are also still in mix,” said Sane senior.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are chasing City defender Jason Denayer and Borussia Dortmund’s Matthias Ginter as Arsene Wenger looks to secure his legacy at the Emirates Stadium.

While neither would be likely to feature in the first-team immediately, the pair are reported by The Sun to cost £10m and £12m respectively.

Wenger has been buoyed by news that City may be prepared to sell Denayer as they continue attempts to lure Leonardo Bonucci away from Juventus.

A City source told the newspaper: “Denayer signed a new contract last summer. He is rated at about £15m at the club and is on around £25,000-a-week. Arsenal have been interested before just over a year ago but only bid £5m. There was no follow-up offer at the time, but Wenger is a fan.”

Manchester United, meanwhile, have delayed announcing their squad numbers for the upcoming season as they wait to hear if their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been successful.

The Frenchman has been relentlessly linked with a world-record £100m return to Old Trafford after leaving the 20-time champions of England in 2012. Pogba is in line to earn over £200,000-a-week if he decides to join Jose Mourinho’s revolution.

The Sun report that United refuse to be forced into a situation where they may have to refund fans if their squad numbers change in the summer, meaning United supporters will have to wait a while longer.

Contrary to earlier reports, the Evening Standard insist that Diego Costa has not asked to leave Chelsea this summer and is expected to stay on at Stamford Bridge under new manager Antonio Conte.

The Spain international endured a turbulent year last time around and has been linked with a return to former club Atletico Madrid. Having already bought Michy Batshuayi from Marseille for £32m, many assumed Costa’s time in west London was up.

Speaking after the pre-season defeat by Rapid Vienna at the weekend, Conte said: “This was taught to me by my family, to give education and respect to all people. If I don’t have this, you are asking for trouble, for a problem.

“I love to be with my players, to speak with them, to help them to understand my philosophy, my methods and my thoughts. I love this. Hopefully when the players understand this we have a fantastic relationship.”