Transfer News: Liverpool star Sadio Mane has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich
According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg (h/t Liverpool Echo), Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has held talks with the agent of Liverpool, superstar Sadio Mane.
The Senegalese international was the first major piece in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool rebuild. He arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2016 and made an instant impact on the Reds’ fortunes.
Mane has made 264 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, scoring 117 goals and assisting 47 more. The 30-year-old has played a huge role in the club’s UEFA Champions League and Premier League wins in recent seasons.
Mane, however, is not getting any younger. He is now in his thirties and a drop off in form has been visible. Klopp’s decision to re-deploy him as a number nine appeared to have rekindled what appeared to be a slowing career.
With just a year to go on his current deal, the Reds have a decision to make soon. Bayern for their part are keen to make a statement signing in the summer and have seemingly eyed Mane as a potential signing.
They have been boosted by the fact that renewal negotiations regarding Mane and Liverpool have so far not yielded fruit. The German giants remain interested but are yet to approach the Reds regarding a potential deal. This would catch a lot of LFC fans by surprise considering the timing of the news in what is a crucial month for us.
The Reds are bearing the end of their first cycle under Klopp and might need to move on certain players. Mane already has written his name into Liverpool folklore but his long term prospects at the club might be suspect.
With Luis Diaz already at the club, it can be argued that the Reds are already looking ahead. Whether the Colombian will eventually be seen as Mane’s successor remains to be seen.
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Mane has shown in recent weeks that he can still be a potent player despite his age. Whether Liverpool are keen to see him spend the rest of his career at Anfield or seek to cash in on him this summer remains to be seen.
We must also keep in mind that such stories should also be taken with a pinch of salt. There has been nothing on the part of the Senegalese to indicate he wants an exit as of now and has continued to be a very important part of Klopp’s team- one he helped build since his move from Southampton little under six years ago.
