Leroy Sané leaves Bayern: dream of the DFB team in danger!

Leroy Sané leaves Bayern: dream of the DFB team in danger!

The news hits like a bolt from the blue: Leroy Sané is leaving FC Bayern Munich after five years and will continue his career at Galatasaray Istanbul starting next season. This decision was officially announced on June 12, 2025 and not only entails the departure of a high-profile player, but also raises many questions.

Sané is moving to Turkey on a free transfer and signing a contract until 2028, which comes into force on July 1, 2025. With an annual net salary of nine million euros and an additional loyalty bonus of three million euros, Galatasaray shows that they are serious. Sané will wear the number ten there and has already been welcomed by cheering fans at the airport in Istanbul. The club's president, Dursun Aydın Özbek, announced that they would build a strong team for the Champions League, with Sané as the new figurehead. However, he could find himself in less tough competition than before in Europe.

A conclusion and a new beginning

Sané's move marks a break with his previous career and is widely seen as a retreat from the European elite. Critics emphasize that this step could potentially reduce his chances of returning to the DFB team. The national coach Julian Nagelsmann is faced with the challenge of finding players for the national team who regularly compete against the best teams. Sané, who was both a bearer of hope and a scapegoat, remains under discussion as to whether he is still eligible for the national team.

At the age of 29, Sané comes to Istanbul as a regular player for FC Bayern and not as a discontinued model. Hamit Altintop, a former Turkish international, describes Sané as a current star at Galatasaray but warns that the wall of success can change quickly. Relationships with fans, team and media will be crucial for him to fight his way out of a potentially difficult situation.

Sporting risks and opportunities

However, the change carries risks. The challenge of competing in the Turkish league could prove complicated. Altintop points out that many ex-players had difficulties in Turkey and points to cases like Max Kruse, who also failed to achieve the success he would have liked. Given the upcoming World Cup in 2026, the question arises as to whether Sané has chosen the right environment for his sporting ambitions.

Overall, it remains to be seen how Sané's career will turn out in Istanbul. After a successful time at FC Bayern, in which he won the German championship four times and scored an impressive 61 goals and 55 assists in 220 competitive games, looking at his time in Turkey could represent both a new beginning and a risk. And so the question arises as to whether Leroy Sané will find his best form in Istanbul or whether he will actually bury his sporting ambitions.

It remains to be hoped for fans and friends of football that, despite the challenges in Turkey, Sané has the potential to continue to leave a significant footprint in football.

How the developments surrounding this spectacular change will continue to unfold remains exciting. In any case, the next few months will show whether Leroy Sané can show his usual class again in Istanbul.

For more information, read more about the change on absolutfussball.com, t-online.de and sportbild.de.