Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has dismissed reports suggesting his club could offer defender David Alaba to Manchester City as a make-weight in a deal to sign Leroy Sane, labelling the claim as a 'fairy tale.'
Sane hasn't kicked a ball this season due to a serious knee ligament injury he suffered in the Community Shield victory against Liverpool in August, but that hasn't deterred Bayern's interest in bringing him home to Germany.
The Bundesliga champions drew City's ire in the summer with their persistent public pursuit of the winger, with several star players and high-profile club officials discussing the City star, as they sought to replace departing legends Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery.
So much so that then-manager Niko Kovac was forced to apologise after saying he was 'confident' the deal would get done and the club had to deny rumours the move was completed on their own Twitter account.
Despite irking City, Bayern staff members - Rummenigge included - have started talking about Sane in the media once again, fuelling speculation a move could come to fruition this coming transfer window.
Sane's future at the club remains uncertain, with the 24-year-old's contract set to expire in 2021 and an extension not looking any closer to being signed.
Reports in the week suggested that in an attempt to get Sane at a lower price, Bayern would offer versatile defender Alaba plus £50million to City.
The Blues had already been linked with the Austrian, who would solve a lot of the Blues' defensive issues and has shone under Pep Guardiola before, but Rummenigge moved to discredit the speculation.
“I've heard, rumours are circulating that we would like to hand David Alaba over to Manchester City in exchange for Leroy Sane,” Rummenigge said.
"In addition, I say very clearly: This is Grimm's Fairy Tale and has nothing to do with reality.
"I would like to say very clearly that this is not an option for Bayern at all, we are not in the bazaar."
