Bayern Munich are increasingly confident of signing Manchester City's thrilling young winger Leroy Sane this summer.
Twelve months ago, such optimism would have ridiculed given that Sane had just been voted the PFA Young Player of the Year and was tipped to become one of the best in the world.
But the wind appears to have changed direction at the Etihad. Sane, whose troubles seemed to start when he was left out of Germany's World Cup squad last summer, has been sensational during parts of City's Treble season but untrusted by Pep Guardiola in others.
Leroy Sane looks increasingly likely to leave Manchester City for Bayern Munich this summer
The German winger looked delighted during City's title celebrations but he could well be off
He has fallen behind Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez to become City's fourth-choice wide player in Pep's preferred 4-3-3.
His last full 90 minutes in a City shirt came on April 3 against Cardiff when he scored in a 2-0 win. Since then, the only goal he has scored was coming off the bench at Manchester United.
Of the three big final games that saw City make history, Sane started none of them against Leicester, Brighton and Watford. With Guardiola wanting to strengthen further and financial fair-play restrictions coming into play, 23-year-old Sane looks an asset they can cash in on.
Bayern, who saw both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery play their final games for the club last weekend, are willing payers.
Why has it come to this for Sane whose electrifying pace and cool image were a win-win for City on and off the pitch when he joined from Schalke for £37million in 2016?
Even in an indifferent season, he carries end product. Ten goals and 10 assists from 21 Premier League starts (with another 10 appearances as substitute) is impressive. In total, he created 40 chances in those games.
Pep Guardiola has used him increasingly sparingly and he is now fourth choice for Man City
Arjen Robben is one high-profile exit at Bayern this summer and they will need to replace him
'He's a player who has everything you need to be world-class,' said Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, who knows what he's talking about given he's won the World Cup and multiple Champions League titles.
But it was also Kroos who first raised the question whether Sane has the mentality to go with his Rolls Royce
