Leroy Sane missed selection for the Germany squad announced by national team manager Jürgen Klopp last week, extending a slide that began during his time at Bayern Munich.
The winger joined Galatasaray on a free transfer in 2025, drawing roughly 2.5 million live online viewers to his late-night arrival at the airport.
“He is constantly working to get back into the team,” Buruk said of Sane, according to Sport Bild.
Local attacking alternatives have overtaken the former Manchester City and Schalke player in the pecking order. Yunus Akgun and Baris Yilmaz have each recorded four scorer points this season.
Sane utilized his time off during the September international break for extra training sessions. He previously scored in a 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce last season, after which he contributed to four goals across two matches.
Galatasaray also added forward Rafael Leao from AC Milan in the summer for a fee of 38 million euros. The Portuguese international has likewise spent considerable time among the substitutes rather than the starting lineup.
Turkish media reported in early October that Sane held a meeting with club officials to discuss a potential departure. Sport Bild reported that discussions focused strictly on his current sporting situation rather than a transfer, making a winter move unlikely.
Sane remains under contract with Galatasaray through June 2028. His agreement carries a net annual salary of approximately 10 million euros.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has seen limited playing time since arriving from Manchester City a year ago. He has logged just 74 minutes out of a possible 1,350 minutes this season.
Buruk’s pressing system has reduced the need for Gundogan’s strategic qualities. The midfielder faced criticism before a 4-1 Champions League defeat against Barcelona when asked if he looked forward to facing his former club.
“I am not playing anyway—why should I be ready?” Gundogan reportedly said prior to the fixture.
“I was quite misunderstood,” Gundogan later stated, according to Sport Bild. “If I were not ready and did not prove myself in every training session, I could not and would not be allowed to be in the squad.”
Gundogan added: “I have had little time for a long time, but I am trying not to let my morale be ruined.”
Sport Bild reported that a winter departure is not planned for Gundogan, though a contract extension beyond the current season appears ruled out.
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