Liverpool Plan Signing Of Bundesliga Star As Sterling Replacement

Schalke director Horst Heldt has confirmed that teenage winger Leroy Sane was targeted by Liverpool as a replacement for Raheem Sterling during the summer, as per the Daily Mail.

However, Heldt claimed Sane, 19, was not interested in moving to Anfield during that period.

The hotly-tipped youngster has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in world football and the Bundesliga club’s chief has stated that Liverpool were ready to part with a huge sum to lure the attacker to Anfield during the summer.

Heldt said, via the Mail: “There was one or more prestigious club that contacted us about Sane. Liverpool were ready to pay big money for him. These offers didn’t, at all, interest us or the player. I am really not concerned about losing the player. Two years ago, Ajax made an offer as well.”

Last term, Sane played seven games in thee Bundesliga for Schalke, during which he scored three goals and created five chances. He also came on as a substitute during his side’s famous 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League last where he scored via a curling effort at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Had Liverpool signed the Germany Under-21 side during the summer, he would have been a welcome addition to the squad given the departure of Sterling who had joined Manchester City for £49m.

As per the Mail, Sane signed a new contract extension at Gelsenkirchen in July, and the deal will keep him at Schalke until 2019. He now has the chance to feature regularly for Schalke, as Julian Draxler was sold to fellow BuLi side Wolfsburg during the last days of the summer.