Bayern confirms Chelsea advance for AC Milan target Sanches

If only every European powerhouse was as forthright as Bavarian behemoth Bayern Munich.

Amid reports that Chelsea has turned its attention to AC Milan target Renato Sanches, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has given authenticity to said rumours, confirming an advance from the Premier League titleholder, among other clubs

"There are at least 10 teams after Sanches," Rummenigge told Gazzetta dello Sport, courtesy of the Evening Standard.

A year after signing the Portuguese central midfielder from Benfica for a stunning initial fee of £31.3 million, Bayern is unwilling to sell Sanches despite his failure to break into Carlo Ancelotti's first team. Bayern is however warming to the idea of a season-long loan for the 19-year-old, and that's where Chelsea and manager Antonio Conte enters the fray.

"Conte asked for some information about him after Tuesday’s match because he knows he can make the difference on the pitch," Rummenigge added about a conversation with the Italian gaffer following a friendly in Singapore.

"(Carlo) Ancelotti was pleased with his performance against Chelsea so we can make some reasoning on him later."

With four years left to run on his current deal at the Allianz Arena, Sanches is very much a part of Bayern's plans for the future, though Rummenigge admits that a loan could be the best step for his progression.

"Almost certainly we'll let him leave just on loan, we still count on him."