Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, on Tuesday confirmed the signing of Benfica midfielder, Renato Sanches, for an initial of €35 million.
The 18-year-old Portugal international passed his medical on Monday and signed a five-year contract at the Allianz Arena.
The Bavarians shocked Manchester United by confirming the news via the club’s official media platform.
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 will join his new club from the start of the 2016/17 season and becomes the fourth most-expensive teenage signing in the history of world football.
United’s interest in the teenager is believed to have been genuine, with the club’s scouts keen on snaring him ahead of other members of European football’s elite.
Bayern CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, confirmed that there had been plenty of offers for the youngster, but the club are delighted to have won the race.
“Renato Sanches was already scouted by FC Bayern Munich for a longer period of time,” Rummenigge said in an official club press release.
“We are delighted to have signed him for our club despite notable international competitors.
“Renato is a dynamic, ball-winning and technically adept midfielder who will reinforce our squad.”
The €35m deal for the Portuguese international has a clause, and might be activated if he is selected in the FIFA team of the year or wins the FIFA player of the year award.
