Newcastle clear two huge hurdles as Liverpool icon edges closer to shock Magpies move; Klopp left stunned
Newcastle United are getting closer to signing an iconic former Liverpool player after surpassing two significant barriers for his potential move, according to a major report.
Newcastle will play in the Champions League next season after managing to finish fourth in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season. Recent signings such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Kieran Trippier have helped the Magpies go up a level and become a real force in the Prem.
Newcastle chiefs have shown they are keen to ensure the future of the club is bright by signing 18-year-old Gambia forward Yankuba Minteh from Danish side OB recently. He has followed fellow young prospect Garang Kuol to St James’ Park, as the Australia international signed for Newcastle in January.
While these transfers should prove to be effective in the future, Newcastle must ensure they continue on their upward trajectory by fighting for a top-four spot next season and competing well in the Champions League. This means manager Eddie Howe needs some more high-quality additions to his squad this summer.
Surprisingly, Newcastle could land former Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane. The 31-year-old had a troublesome debut season at Bayern, failing to replicate his Liverpool form and also getting suspended after allegedly punching team-mate Leroy Sane.
Mane’s problems in Germany have resulted in several rumours about a Prem return. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked, but now it seems Newcastle are the frontrunners to sign him.
On June 5, German outlet Sport1 revealed how Newcastle had been ‘offered’ the chance to capture Mane. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is not happy with him and supposedly wants to engineer his exit so that a younger, less problematic striker can arrive at the club.
And now, fellow German source Bild claim Mane’s Newcastle move is gaining momentum. They state that the fact Newcastle have huge finances at their disposal means they can ‘easily afford’ both Mane’s transfer fee and wages. The report does not mention how much the Senegalese may cost, although his salary is €22m (£19m) per year. That works out at round £360,000 a week, the most of any Bayern player.
Former Liverpool man attracted by Newcastle move
It seems Newcastle have cleared the first hurdle to sign Mane. And they will also be able to convince Mane to join them, as Bild claim a switch to St James’ Park ‘would be attractive’ for him.
Mane’s experience and fantastic scoring record at Liverpool means Howe would have no choice but to put him straight in the starting eleven, which means he would get regular game time. Plus, Newcastle can offer Mane the chance to continue playing in the UCL.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, plus the club’s fans, would be stunned if Mane returned to England by signing for Newcastle. The Africa Cup of Nations winner spent six years at Anfield, scoring 120 goals and helping Klopp’s side win major trophies such as the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
But Mane would not be the first player to complete such a move. After leaving Arsenal for Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas returned to the Prem by signing for Chelsea in 2014. And Chelsea great Frank Lampard surprisingly had a loan spell at Manchester City while on the books of MLS side New York City.