As Manchester United fans kept their fingers crossed since early December last year, hoping to have one of Europe’s hottest talents Renato SancheS playing for their club, their counterparts Bayern Munich seemed to have a secret plan. The German giants have made a shocking move for youngster’s signature and succeeded. The 18-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Bavarians and is set to join them for the 2016/17 season. The deal is said to be worth €35m.
DONE DEAL! 18-year-old Renato #Sanches will join from Benfica this summer. Welcome to #FCBayern! pic.twitter.com/r9Xu7vOZOA
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 10, 2016
Sanches took a medical test on Monday in Munich and according to the club’s CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the German side were closely monitoring the talented winger.
Medical#Sanches pic.twitter.com/NkZ6nV1RqL
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 10, 2016
“We have been keeping an eye on Renato Sanches for a long time now and we are very happy to have signed him despite a lot of competition for him. Rummenigge added of the 18-year-old, who was born in Lisbon to parents from Cape Verde: “Renato is a dynamic, tough and technically skilful midfielder who will make our team stronger.”
On the other hand, Man United had sent their scouts more than 10 times in Portugal to watch the Benfica star, and according to reports from Portuguese media, a deal was on the offing before Bayern’s sudden snatch-up.
Welcome to #FCBayern, Renato #Sanches! Read more on our latest signing here: https://t.co/mGDsqjExxu #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/bGuinoFOyl
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 10, 2016
Sanches featured against Bayern in the quarter-final of the Champions League back in April, and provided a sterling performance that seemed to have attracted the attention of his new employers. And as expected, Man United fans took to Twitter to air their anger and disappointment after their club failed to secure the signature of the talented forward, despite scouting him for close to five months. Here are some of the best reactions:
According to the Portuguese press Man Utd scouted Benfica and Renato Sanches 24 times, Bayern 2.
— Abbess (@AbbassSmeha) May 10, 2016
Woodward is a clown
Crying - Bayern announce Renato Sanches whilst Man Utd tweets Carrick quotes.
— alëx. (@Gaitxn) May 10, 2016
Odd that the UK media has Renato Sanches joining Man Utd for £62m when he's actually signed for Bayern for less than half that #lol
— Madridista Layne (@madridboss_24) May 10, 2016
Take note, Man Utd, that's how you conduct transfer business.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) May 10, 2016
Mats Hummels and Renato Sanches sign for Bayern Munich on the same day. Ooft!
Man Utd were most definitely interested in Renato Sanches considering they had a scout at every one of his matches January onwards.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) May 10, 2016
Man Utd: we want Renato Sanches
— Chuck Bass (@SebxstixnVI) May 10, 2016
Bayern: lol
Renato Sanches curved Man Utd for a better looking, richer boyfriend.
— Really Bruh? (@kedutse) May 10, 2016
BAYERN sign RENATO SANCHES and MATS HUMMELS? Surely, Man Utd has lost the European grip
— Chris Dela Dela (@ChrisIsDela) May 10, 2016
Renato Sanches felt like he was Gonnna be a Manchester United from last year! Man UTD scouted this guy for 2 straight years just get snaked
— Cordell Cockett (@CordellCockett3) May 10, 2016