Guardiola reveals Sane message amid exit news; sends Liverpool warning

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered his “big thanks” to Leroy Sane, ahead of the winger’s impending departure to Bayern Munich.

Guardiola previously revealed Sane had rejected a new contract and a deal with Bayern emerged on Tuesday.

City are close to completing a deal with the German champions that could be worth a potential £54.8million.

Guardiola said: “It looks like he is going to go to Munich. I wish him all the best. I give him a big thanks for our years together.

“I would have liked him to stay here but he has decided to move on.”

City return to Premier League action on Thursday after handing the title over to Liverpool last week.

The two sides clash amid a chance for City prove a point and send a message to Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead of next season.

Guardiola says, however, that his team always want to prove a point.

And he insists that his side will be back in the running after an under-par season for the club.

“If your approach is correct it shouldn’t be more difficult but of course the opponents want to show that they are good too,” he said.

“We’re going to make Liverpool feel next season and the other opponents, try to fight with them for the next chapters in the Premier League.”

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Speaking at a virtual press conference to preview the game, Guardiola added: “In sport, you have to prove every time.

“We are incredibly satisfied with what we have done and are doing but for athletes it is never enough. The past is the past, we have entered it in our memories but the show must go on.”

Guardiola has a healthy respect for his Liverpool counterpart Klopp, with the pair’s rivalry being an amicable one.

Guardiola said: “I don’t know him that well but I admire him and the way that his teams play football. It is a benefit for the world, a positive to try to score a goal, and this kind of manager helps a lot.

“He wants to win, I want to win, but when it is finished the game is over. He’s my colleague and of course I want to have a good relationship with managers.”