Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Sadio Mane Liverpool exit hits stumbling block as star just one of ‘several options’ for Bayern

Sadio Mane Liverpool May 2022

Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has hinted that Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is not their only option and they could look elsewhere.

Mane, 30, broke the news that he wanted to leave a day after the Reds Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Despite the Senegal star being a firm fans’ favourite, he has decided it is time to seek a fresh challenge. Bayern were immediately linked and have had a couple of bids rejected already by the Anfield giants.

An initial £25m offer was raised to £30m but the Merseysiders want £40m for their African superstar. Mane has just one year left on his current Liverpool contract.

And it remains to be seen if the Bundesliga giants are prepared to increase their offer. But, according to Salihamidzic, Mane is just one target on head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s wish-list.

“Generally speaking, we’re trying to strengthen our team. We’re working on several options in attack,” he said. “The transfer market is not easy, it always depends on the financial possibilities of the club. I don’t want to talk about players of other clubs.

“Of course, we can’t rely on one option to strengthen our attack. We must have several options.”

Bayern are preparing for the exit of prolific marksman Robert Lewandowski. The Poland international looks set to call time on his career with the Bavarians after bagging 344 goals in all competitions.

Mane would be seen as a decent alternative without ever expecting to hit the same heights in terms of goal production.

Mane departure paves way for Nunez arrival

The former Southampton ace has been an integral part of Liverpool’s success story over the past few years. He has won the Premier League, Champions League while he also has FA Cup and EFL Cup winner’s medals.

But it seems as though his days at Anfield may be numbered and Jurgen Klopp is planning for the future. The German tactician already has an embarrassment of riches in his attacking ranks.

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool 2022 TEAMtalk1

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Mane were joined by Luis Diaz in January. And, with Darwin Nunez reportedly on the cusp of signing, it is inevitable that Klopp would not be able to keep all his stars happy.

With that in mind, a Liverpool exit for Mane makes sense although one pundit told talkSPORT that he feels a different player should be sacrificed.

Whatever happens, Mane will always be welcome at the club after what he has achieved. But his next destination is still a mystery.

READ MORE: Darwin Nunez transfer latest: Double disagreement between Liverpool and Benfica emerges, as Fabrizio Romano corrects key detail