Transfer News: Jurgen Klopp refuses to confirm if Bayern Munich target Sadio Mane will stay at Liverpool next season
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid (h/t Daily Mail), Jurgen Klopp hinted that Sadio Mane could leave Liverpool this summer amidst interest from Bayern Munich.
The Senegalese superstar is out of contract in the summer of 2023 and has been linked with a move to Bayern. When asked about the possibility of leaving Anfield, Mane himself refused to give any firm answer until the final whistle in Paris tonight.
“I will answer after the Champions League. Stay or not – I’ll answer after the Champions League.”
And now, Klopp has directly addressed these links, claiming that he cannot care less about the Bavarians being linked with one of his superstars. It is also not the first time Bayern are rumoured to be after one of his players before a big game, according to the German.
“Wherever Sadio will play next season he will be a big player. Definitely… I couldn’t care less about the Bayern Munich rumours. Sadio is focused on the game. It is not the first time in my career before decisive games that Bayern Munich rumours come up.”
Exit on the cards?
A couple of things about his comments that would strike out to the average LFC fan. Firstly, he refused to give a definitive answer on the ex-Southampton star’s future at Anfield, keeping the possibility of an exit open.
If Mane was to be a Liverpool player next season, you would think that either he or Klopp would come out and settle those rumours like Mohamed Salah did earlier this week.
And secondly, one could also think that Klopp isn’t pleased with the links, more so because it is Bayern- the fierce rivals of his ex-club Borussia Dortmund. Could Mane’s links to the German giants be just something to distract the team?
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But if so, surely the player himself would have wanted to clarify it and douse the fire. It seems that there is a chance that Mane leaves this summer, with both the Senegalese star and Klopp keeping that possibility open with their comments.
Bild (h/t Daily Mail) claim that Bayern don’t want to pay more than £25million for Mane but any Liverpool fan would tell you how preposterous that is, considering he is arguably still in his prime years and is one of the best wingers in Europe.
