SOCCER
Sadio Mane transfer update: Bayern Munich tweet reveals deal is close
The former Liverpool forward was absent from his side’s preseason fixture against Kawasaki Frontale as he nears a move to Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.
Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane missed the team’s preseason game against Kawasaki Frontale due to ongoing talks regarding a potential transfer, the German club has revealed.
On Saturday Thomas Tuchel’s side continued their summer preparations with an Audi Tour friendly fixture against the J1 League team. Bayern fielded a strong starting XI for the game but one big name was absent from the squad.
A tweet from Bayern confirmed that Mane was not in the squad due to “contract talks ahead of a possible transfer” away from the club. He is thought to be close to a deal to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, where he would partner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mane joined the German giants from Liverpool last summer in a deal worth up to £35 million. The Senegalese star was a key player under Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool enjoyed an incredible period of success, winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
But in his 12 months in Munich Mane has struggled to show his best form. He scored 12 goals in 38 appearances but failed to cement a place in Bayern’s fluid frontline and fell out of favour after an incident with teammate Leroy Sane. Mane reportedly punched Sane after the team’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Manchester City.
Liverpool could miss out on Bayern payments
Mane left Liverpool last summer as a bone fide club legend. After six years on Merseyside Liverpool were able to recoup almost the exact same transfer fee that Mane had previously commanded when he left Southampton.
However the Bayern deal was structured with an initial payment of £27.5 million, followed by a further £7.5 million in add-ons based on appearances and achievements. After just one injury-disrupted season in Bavaria, during which Mane underperformed individually, Liverpool are unlikely to receive the full amount of additional payments.
Who else plays for Al Nassr?
Sadio Mane is the latest in a long line of big name stars to be targeted by sides in the Saudi Pro League this summer. Al Nassr, who are close to a deal to sign Mane, are one of four clubs benefitting with substantial state investment, meaning that they have been able to complete a number of significant transfer already.
Earlier this year Al Nassr shocked the world by tempting five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo struck 14 goals in 20 appearances during his first season in the league and will soon have a number of experienced players joining him from Europe.
Already this summer former Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brosovic and Alex Telles, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, have been brought in. Sadio Mane may now be the next incoming at Al-Awwal Park.