Manchester City transfer news: Schalke say they will only sell Leroy Sane to City if he hands in a transfer request

MANCHESTER CITY’S chase of Schalke’s Leroy Sane has hit a stumbling block.

New Etihad boss Pep Guardiola is reported to be keen on the German winger after he impressed for the Bundesliga club last season.

But club sporting director Christian Heidel insists there is only one way Sane, 20, will leave – if he hands in a transfer request.

Heidel told Bild: “Leroy has not told us that he wants to leave Schalke for now.

“If that were to happen, interested clubs could approach us to discuss a move.

“If Leroy wants a transfer, we will make a quick decision on what happens. I want to emphasise it is our decision.

“It is important that our plans for 2016-17 are not affected by it.”

City have already landed Ilkay Gundogan, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nolito as Guardiola begins work at the club.

And Sane could be forced to make the first move if he wants to link up with the Guardiola.

City are said to be ready to offer around £40million for the winger who is under contract at the Veltins-Arena until 2019.

If Sane does force a move to City, it would provide even more competition for Raheem Sterling.

Guardiola already warned his players they would face a tough task to keep their places and Sterling’s days could be numbered with Nolito already joining earlier in the summer.

Sane came through the Schalke youth system before having three years at Bayer Leverkusen.

He then moved back to Gelsenkirchen in 2011.