Transfer news: Spotlight on the £32m Schalke starlet wanted by Liverpool and Manchester City

talkSPORT's transfer spotlight focuses on Leroy Sane, who is reportedly wanted by both Liverpool and Manchester City.

Name: Leroy Sane
Date of Birth: 11th January 1996
Birthplace: Essen, Germany
Position: Right Winger/ Attacking Midfielder
Club: Schalke 04
International appearances: One (Germany)

What's the latest?
, Manchester City have been monitoring Sane since December 2013 and have now stepped up their interest. Txiki Begiristain, City's sporting director, hopes to seal the transfer in January but the summer is considered a more realistic prospect. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has had Sane watched on several occasions this season and is plotting a move for the 19-year-old. Schalke have let it be known that they will resist any bids this month, however, preferring instead to resolve Sane's future in the summer when they have more time to line up a replacement.

Did you know?

1. Sane comes from a sporting family; his father is former Schalke and Senegal forward Souleyman Sane and his mother is former German rhythmic gymnast Regina Weber.

2. Sane was handed his Bundesliga debut in 2014 by former Chelsea player and manager Roberto Di Matteo. He is now a key member of a youthful Schalke side and has five goals in 24 appearances in all competitions this season.

3. He was handed his Champions League debut against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in March 2015 and scored a spectacular goal [see bottom video] as Schalke claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory.

4. Having previously represented Germany at youth level, Sane was called up to the full squad in November 2015 and came off the bench in the 2-0 defeat to France to make his debut.

5. He was involved in a serious car accident in which he wrote off a €100,000 Mercedes and Schalke's sporting director Horst Heldt has said the player is understandably yet to mature.

6. Jurgen Klopp's predecessor at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers, was also keen on Sane and the Reds failed with a £10m attempt to lure the teenager to Anfield in the summer, Heldt told reporters in September.

Sane says: 

“I trust my instincts, it has worked every time so far";

“I never wanted to be an astronaut... When I was 16 or 17, I didn’t go to parties. I had only one hobby - the ball.”

"You shouldn’t drink two litres of Coca Cola every day... My favourite meal is Penne Carbonara - that’s good for an athlete, right?”

They say:

"He has a way of playing that can make all the difference. He isn’t put off if things aren’t going as expected; even if he loses the ball, he can complete a well-run counter in the next moment." - Sporting director Horst Heldt

"A lot of players don’t keep their heads on the ground, because they know they can earn money quickly. Leroy won’t do that. He is grounded." - Souleyman Sané

“He is a player with a special gift and finesse, speed paired with technique and strong running - at just 19. He can make the jump with us very quickly.” - Germany coach Joachim Löw

Video evidence: