As the striker appears to be closing in on a £35.1 million transfer, Sadio Mane has said he was initially drawn to Bayern Munich’s interest in him this summer.
Sadio Mane joined Liverpool in 2016, moving there for £37 million from Premier League opponent Southampton. Prior to signing a £250,000 per week contract, Mane had talks with Bayern Munich.
The Senegalese international spent six years with Liverpool, making 269 appearances across all leagues, scoring 120 goals, and winning six trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League.
Mane signing to the Bundesliga powerhouses has grown to be one of the biggest summer transfer sagas. The player has already been sighted wearing Bayern clothing after passing a medical.
He admitted in his first interview with Bayern that he was “extremely delighted” when his agency initially informed him of Bayern’s interest.
“I instantly recognized myself there… One of the biggest clubs in the world, they are continually competing for championships”. Said Mane.
“So for me, coming here was a really excellent idea and the perfect one. ”
“There have been inquiries from other teams, according to my agency. The business includes that. But when Bayern explained their strategy to me, I immediately felt it. More than anybody else, I discovered myself in Bayern’s strategy”.
Mane, who has played a crucial role in Liverpool’s development under Jurgen Klopp, was initially difficult for Liverpool to part with.
However, the Reds appear to have acquired a ready-made successor after finalizing an £85 million deal for Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez.
But they likely knew this would be their last chance to acquire a sizable amount for the player given that he only had one year left on his current contract, similar to the situation Liverpool find themselves in with talismanic striker Mohamed Salah.