Premier League champions Manchester City are in danger of losing one of their star players in Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich, with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the Bayern boss, publicly declaring interest in the £90m-rated player.
And reports from Spain now claim that Pep Guardiola has already identified a replacement for the German winger.
Real Sociedad star Mikel Oyarzabal could be on his way to England if City loses Sane this summer, claim reports from AS.
Who Is Oyarzabal?
Born and brought up in Eibar, the 22-year-old started his senior career with Real Sociedad in 2015 and has ever since been a mainstay in the senior side, making 132 La Liga appearances till date.
He has two international caps for Spain and one for Basque and is already an established winger at the highest level.
In the last couple of seasons, the youngster has stepped up his game, registering 25 goals and six assists, failing to play in just four games.
Known for his versatility, Oyarzabal can play anywhere across the front line and last season, he showed that he is also effective in a slightly deeper role if needed.
He is a natural finisher and his positioning and off the ball movements are right up there with the best in Europe now.
He is a hard-working forward, who will run the lines and hold up play to release pressure on his midfield and backline but the youngster is at his best when feeding off of crosses and waiting to pounce on half a chance in and around the box.
Oyarzabal is at times criticized for his lack of defensive awareness but under the guidance of a coach like Pep Guardiola, he does have everything to be a world-beater in years to come.
Can He Replace Sane?
Arguably the fastest winger in the league and easily one of the most dangerous players in world football at the moment, Sane has 25 goals and 31 assists in 89 league games in England, winning three league titles and four domestic cups.
He is still only 23 and will potentially retire as one of the best wingers the game has seen and losing such a player will never be easy for any club. In an ideal scenario, City will loathe losing Sane but if the player sets his heart on a move to his homeland, it will be unlike Pep to block the move.
But Manchester City have quality in their side even without Sane and can take their time in moulding Oyarzabal into having a similar impact.
There are very few players who can replace the German in the current transfer market but Oyarzabal does have the potential to be even more dangerous, under the right coach.
The Spaniard has a €75m release clause, which should not be a problem for City, especially if they sell Sane. So Oyarzabal is certainly a risk worth taking for the ‘Fourmidables’.
