Could Manchester City be set to make Leroy Sane the most expensive German footballer in history?

Bild are reporting that the Etihad club are preparing a huge €55m (£40.5m) bid for the Schalke star – a fee that would eclipse the €50m Arsenal paid Real Madrid to sign Mesut Ozil in 2013.

Schalke manager Horst Heldt said last week: “we don't want to sell him and Leroy doesn't want to leave the club. Even Manchester City haven't got that much money!” but Sane fits the Blues' recent transfer policy and there are widespread reports they are working on a deal.

Txiki Begiristain, the club's sporting director, has set about identifying top European talent, with Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne their two big-money summer deals.

Sane, 19, an attacking midfielder with five goals this season, is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in the Bundesliga.