Sadio Mané agrees personal terms with Bayern Munich
Sadio Mané’s desire to leave Liverpool largely extends from the hopes of the Senegalese people.
The current Liverpool winger caused ire among those at Anfield making comments during international duty. Mané stated that he believes 60-70% of people in his native country would like him to part ways with Merseyside club.
Of course, Mané later back tracked and assured fans he was making light-hearted remarks during what is assuredly a challenging time in his career.
The comments come on the back of yet another fantastic campaign with Liverpool. The traditional winger converted into a striker to accommodate the breakout of Luis Diaz on Mané’s traditional left wing. The Senegal international scored an impressive 23 goals in 53 fixtures in all competitions as the Reds secured a domestic cup double.
A loss in the UEFA Champions League Final to Real Madrid perhaps signaled the end to Mané’s time at Anfield. Through it all, Sadio Mané remains poised while expressing a desire to leave Liverpool.
Sadio Mané’s desire to leave Liverpool
After the loss in the Champions League Final, Mané reported to Senegal for international duty. After making the comments regarding the estimation that the Senegalese people want Mané to leave Liverpool, he scored a hat trick against Benin in an AFCON qualifier. The triad of goals pushed Mané to the top of the all-time Senegal scoring charts.
Clearly, the uncertainty at the club level has no effect on the player’s performance on the pitch. However, the forward answered reporters regarding his comments prior to the fixture.
“I spoke yesterday while joking with a bit of humor and it was everywhere. I think we’ll stop there. Liverpool is a club I respect a lot. The fans have adopted me since day one. Regarding the future, we’ll see.”
Sadio Mané’s desire to leave Liverpool opens up a handful of potential options. With just 12 months remaining on the 30-year-old’s contract, transfer fees should be low for a talent like Mané. One of those suitors is Bayern Munich. The club’s sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, has a transfer fee somewhere in the ballpark of $35 to $45 million. Bayern proposed the low end of that range, while Liverpool want the $45 million.
Regardless of the transfer fee, journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Wednesday morning that Mané and Bayern Munich agreed to personal terms on a contract. Therefore, the deal is practically set in place, while a transfer sum is still in discussion.
Another potential suitor was Paris Saint Germain. However, it appears that Bayern Munich is set to add the Senegalese services.
Replacements at Liverpool and Bayern Munich
Part of Sadio Mané’s desire to leave Liverpool likely extended from being ousted from his usual spot by Luis Diaz. While Mané had success at the striker position, Liverpool wanted a replacement for him in the front three.
In steps Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan from Benfica cost Liverpool $77 million, but it could rise by an additional $25 million should Liverpool hit certain incentives.
Interestingly, Mané himself is something of a replacement at Bayern Munich. Robert Lewandowski, a recent icon at the club just like Mané at Liverpool, is discontent with the Bavarians. The Polish international seems to be on his way to Barcelona. Mané would fit in to that role. Or, Mané provides Bayern Munich with options on the wing alongside Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala or Kingsley Coman.
