Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has explained Bayern Munich’s decision to loan Renato Sanches to Swansea City.

Omnisport understands the Premier League club are confident of finalising the season-long signing of the 20-year-old Portugal midfielder before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

The Euro 2016 winner has struggled for regular first-team opportunities at the Allianz Arena, and despite Sanches being linked to the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus, AC Milan and Monaco, chairman Rummenigge has identified Swansea – who are managed by Carlo Ancelotti’s former Bayern assistant Paul Clement – as the place where the youngster can develop as Bayern wish.

‘We wanted Renato Sanches to join a club where he is able to play on a high level, and where he has a coach who wants him,’ Rummenigge told Kicker.

‘Renato has to play continuously for a year and that’s not guaranteed, given the quality in our squad.’

According to Kicker, Bayern will receive a loan fee of €8.5-million for Sanches, and Swansea will not have an option to buy the player at the end of the season.

Sanches joined Bayern from Benfica for €35m in May last year, but made 16 of his 25 appearances in all competitions from the bench.

-This story originally appeared on FourFourTwo.co.za