Sane Takes Coutinho’s Number 10 Shirt At Bayern.
Leroy Sane will wear the number 10 shirt, previously belonging to Philippe Coutinho, when he plays for Bayern Munich next season. The Brazilian playmaker has not left the Bundesliga champions yet but has already seen his squad number given to the new signing.
Bayern completed the signing of Sane from Manchester City in a deal worth €49 million (£45m/$55m) on Friday, the Germany international putting pen to paper on a five-year contract.
When he is eligible to feature in 2020-21, Sane will occupy the number worn by Coutinho during his season-long loan from Barcelona.
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However, while advertising replica ‘Sane 10’ shirts for sale in their official club store, Bayern said: “Out of respect for Philippe Coutinho, who is the current number 10 and could play in the upcoming DFB-Pokal final in Berlin and any games in the Champions League in August, Sane decided not to use the number in his photos on Thursday.”
The decision appears to suggest Coutinho is unlikely to remain at Bayern for the long term. The Brazil international has been linked with a host of clubs across Europe after the Bundesliga champions let their option to sign him permanently expire.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has not ruled out moving again for Coutinho entirely, saying: “We’ll see if he still has a role to play with us or not.”
Manager Hansi Flick and captain Manuel Neuer were delighted to welcome Sane to Bayern on Friday but quickly turned their attention back to the DFB-Pokal final during the pre-matchj press conference.