Sadio Mane set for Liverpool exit this summer

Liverpool star Sadio Mane is on his way out of the club this summer, reports have confirmed.

Speaking ahead of the Champions League final, the Senegalese forward revealed he would announce a decision on his future after the game.

There was hope he would consider a contract extension but that is now out of the way. After six years with the Merseyside giants, Mane has decided to seek a new challenge elsewhere. The 30-year-old’s current contract with Liverpool will run out in the summer of 2023 but the player prefers to leave this summer rather than leave for free next year.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the player has made his decision and has also informed the club. Mane formed a blistering partnership with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, ushering Liverpool into a successful era under Jurgen Klopp. Poetically, all three forwards will enter the final year of their contracts with Liverpool and it appears Mane will be the first to leave.

The 30-year-old joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2016 and has become a fan-favourite since that time. In 269 appearances for the Reds, he has scored 120 goals while recording 48 assists. Mane also has an illustrious time with Liverpool that has seen him win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. He would no doubt leave the club as a legend.

His best campaign in a Liverpool jersey was in the 2018/19 season where he won the Premier League Golden Boot with 22 goals and finished with 26 goals across all competitions.

What next for Mane?

Sadio Mane is already attracting interest from Bayern Munich and the latest odds from bookmakers have the German giants as favourites to land his signature.

At the moment, Bayern Munich are reportedly lining up a €30m bid for the Senegalese and it might be enough to convince Liverpool to sell. Though it is a little fee compared to his qualities, it would make sense to at least cash in on him now rather than lose him for nothing next summer.

Elsewhere, Barcelona and Real Madrid have also shown interest in the player but it remains to be seen if any of those links are actually credible.

Liverpool already have Mane’s replacement sorted

To put it in plain terms, it would come as a herculean task to replace a player like Mane. However, it seems Liverpool might have sorted that bit already. Luis Diaz joined from Porto in January for €45m and has already fit in seamlessly with the club’s playing style.

He has already cemented his spot in the team’sng lineup, forcing Mane to play in the centre on several occasions, with Firmino having to settle for the bench.

However, according to bookmakers, it remains evident that Liverpool will have to sign one more attacker this summer, especially with the departure of Divock Origi as well.