Leroy Sane is said to be progressing well in his rehabilitation – leading to speculation there could be a Bayern Munich bid for him in January.
The Manchester City winger is recovering in Austria after surgery to his anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to miss most of the season.
But Sane is already said to be able to bend his injured knee at 90 degrees.
He is also reported, in Germany, to be training for four to six hours a day, largely on his upper body.
But there is little likelihood of Sane returning to action ahead of schedule.
Those sources say that Sane's condition is being regularly relayed not just to City's medical staff but also to the Germany team doctor Jochen Hahne – and to Bayern's Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.
Bayern were strongly interested in Sane in the summer but had made no bids, with City claiming the 23-year-old would cost a minimum of £135million – and only of he indicated that he wanted to leave.
Dianaa
64
If he wants to leave let him go, Leroy hasn’t made any indication he wants to leave. But if that occurs, let him leave and sign either Sancho or Leon Bailey. Priority next summer should be a centre-back imo.
Starkkan
52
Leroy Sane's camp are unhappy because they didn't make money because there was no transfer. They are motivated by self-interest and greed. Sane is a Manchester City player and Guardiola had every right to select him to play against Liverpool.