THEIR SEASON MAY have ended in anti-climax but Bayern Munich have pulled off a major coup by signing one of Europe’s most sought-after young players.

18-year-old Renato Sanches has put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal and will join the Bundesliga champions from Portuguese side Benfica this summer.

It’s reported to be worth an initial sum of £27.5 (€35 million) but that is expected to rise.

It represents a huge blow for Manchester United, who were reportedly close to finalising a transfer for the teenager.

His agent, Jorge Mendes, has orchestrated plenty of United-related deals in the past and it appeared the Premier League side were set to close out the deal this week.

But, Bayern, who will have Carlo Ancelotti taking over from Pep Guardiola as manager at the end of the season, have beaten them to it.

“Renato Sanches is a dynamic, technically-gifted midfielder who is strong in the tackle and will strengthen our squad”, said president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Sanches broke into the Benfica senior side earlier this season and has featured frequently as his team inch towards the league title.

He started both Champions League quarter-final ties against Bayern in April, as Benfica went down 3-2 on aggregate.

Sanches is an attacking midfielder who can play centrally or out wide.

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