Bayern Munich's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has hinted that exorbitant wage demands were the key reason behind Leroy Sane's failure to complete a transfer to the Allianz Arena from Manchester City this summer.
The Bundesliga champions entered talks with Sane over a potential move earlier this summer as the club set about replacing legendary duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
Any chance of a move appeared to disappear after Sane suffered a nasty knee injury in the Community Shield which looks set to keep him sidelined for at least six months.
However, on the subject of Sane, Salihamidzic spoke to Manchester Evening News of the need to stick to Bayern's existing wage structure, "if only because we cannot afford to do otherwise".
It is claimed that there was a suspicion among the Bayern hierarchy that Sane was using the German champions as a makeweight to eke out a better deal from City.
Sane, who was not a regular starter under Pep Guardiola last season, is said to be valued at around £140m.
Leo Nieboer
