Pep Guardiola has opened the door for Leroy Sane to quit Manchester City - by telling the German winger that he can leave if he's unhappy.
Sane has been pursued by Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich all summer after failing to nail down a regular starting place in City's team during their treble season.
City value the 23-year-old at £100million – and that has deterred Bayern from making a bid.
But after saying that he expects Sane to stay at the Etihad, Guardiola then dropped a bombshell by questioning why the German international has failed to commit himself to a new contract.
Asked if he thinks Sane will still be with the champions when the season kicks-off at West Ham , the City boss said: “Yes.”
But he then added: “The club made him an offer last year but I said many times that I want people happy to be here.
“We are going to help him to be the best. We know his potential and what his level is and he has a special quality that is difficult to find around the world.
“He knows, they all know, it's difficult because of the quality we have.
“But, at the same time I spoke to the club 10 times, and I want people here to be happy.
“If they don't want, they go.
“But the desire to have him to be with us is always there.”
Asked to clarify whether Sane will stay with City, Guardiola said: “I answered the question - and I was really clear.”
City thrashed West Ham 4-1 in the Asia Trophy and will now face Wolves in Saturday's final in Shanghai after Nuno Espirito Santo's side opened the tournament by demolishing Newcastle 4-1.
Steve Bruce is flying out to China to take over as coach after walking out of Sheffield Wednesday and will be in the Far East for the third-placed play-off game against the Hammers.
City had £63million club-record signing and full-back Angelino making their debuts.
But it was youth-team graduates Tommy Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adrian Bernabe who impressed.
West Ham went ahead through Mark Noble, but City hit back to blitz the Hammers with David Silva and Lukas Nmecha putting the Blues in front before half-time.
Raheem Sterlin's second-half double completed the rout.
City have been chasing Leicester defender Harry Maguire as a replacement for Vincent Kompany, but have been put off by the Foxes £90million valuation.
Asked if there was any interest in the Leicester defender, Guardiola said: “He's a Leicester player.”
