Euro 2016: Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp feels 'gutted' Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches is not in Premier League
Bayern Munich beat Manchester United in signing Renato Sanches.
Former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp has expressed his disappointment after Portugal teenager Renato Sanches snubbed the Premier League to play for Bayern Munich. He signed for the Bundesliga club from Benfica for a fee of €35m (£29.3m, $38.9m) in May.
The 18-year-old had an impressive 2015/16 campaign with Benfica and his club form saw him make it to the national squad for Euro 2016. Portugal won the European championship after defeating host nation France 1-0 in the extra time.
Sanches surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo to become the youngest player to feature in the Euro final. He even scored the equaliser against Poland in the quarter-final, which Portugal won on penalties. Redknapp went on to hail Sanches for his display against Portugal and was named the Young Player of the Tournament at the Euro 2016.
"Renato Sanches has been an absolute sensation for Portugal and is without doubt my young player of the tournament," Redknapp told the Daily Mail.
"You only have to look at his superb left-foot goal against Poland to know that the 18-year-old is going to be a brilliant player for many years to come.
"I'm just gutted that he's gone to Bayern Munich as I'd have loved to see the midfielder in the Premier League!"
The midfielder was a target for Manchester United and it was believed that his move to Old Trafford was sealed. However, Louis van Gaal, the former Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal reportedly asked the Premier League giants to end their interest in the Portugal international.
Sanches went on to confirm that United made an offer, but it was his decision to reject the English club for Bayern. His national teammate and former United winger Nani admitted that the 20-time English champions will regret losing him to the German champions. He was also joined by Southampton defender Jose Fonte, who went on to admit that United have missed out on a "very good talent."
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