Sadio Mane’s transfer decision made after Manchester United and Bayern Munich reach an agreement on Harry Kane
Bayern Munich’s prospects of signing Tottenham’s Harry Kane are intertwined with their plans to move on Sadio Mane, who has been linked with a shock move to Manchester United.
Thomas Tuchel met with Harry Kane to discuss a sensational summer transfer, but any deal is likely contingent on Sadio Mane’s future.
Former Liverpool forward Mane appeared to be leaving Bayern Munich this summer and had not ruled out a surprise return to the Premier League. The Senegalese star’s move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich for £35.1 million in the summer of 2017 has not gone according to plan in the Bundesliga.
Mane has been linked with a summer transfer to Manchester United, who are in need of offensive reinforcements. It follows his disclosure that he had an agreement in place to join United before relocating to Merseyside.
Sky Germany has reported that Bayern Munich intends to move on Mane this summer, despite Saudi Arabia’s interest. However, no formal discussions have yet occurred, and the player himself recently stated that he intends to remain in Bavaria.
Mane was asked by Senegalese broadcaster 2sTV last month if he would remain with Bayern amid rumors of their interest in Kane. According to the German publication Bild, Mane stated, “God willing, yes.” If all goes as planned, I will return to Bayern.
“I love challenges and Bavaria is a big challenge. It is up to me to do whatever it takes to meet this challenge… It was a very complicated season [just gone], that happens. It wasn’t a surprise, I expected things to be a bit complicated. This is completely normal.”
Mane’s Bayern future beyond this summer is uncertain.
However, these remarks may seem to contradict Bayern’s intentions. The German champions suspended the 31-year-old for the final Bundesliga match of the season after he allegedly struck teammate Leroy Sane following their 3-0 Champions League loss at Manchester City.
In addition to a hefty sanction, the ex-Reds forward was suspended for Bayern’s Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena. Due to form and fitness concerns, Mane has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the club’s attack with Sane, Serge Gnabry, and Thomas Muller as competition.
Bayern are now pressing hard for a sensational deal to acquire Tottenham striker and England captain Harry Kane this summer. Kane would fill the central attacking void left by Robert Lewandowski’s departure to Barcelona last summer.
Mane is apparently not in Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich plans.
Mane scored 120 goals for Liverpool in 269 appearances and won six major titles during his time with Jurgen Klopp’s side, which has struggled to adjust to life without the forward, who was consistently superb throughout his Anfield tenure.
However, it could have been so much different. “I must admit that I was very close to joining Manchester United,” Mane told the Daily Telegraph in 2015, describing his 2016 move to Liverpool. “There, I had the contract. I had attained unanimity. I decided to go to Liverpool despite the fact that everything was prepared.
“I was convinced to go with (Jurgen) Klopp’s project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp. He said, ‘We have a big project at Liverpool and I want you to be part of it.’
“Then he asked what position I wanted because he could see at Southampton I played on the right side and I used to play on the left. I said I prefer left, and then he said, ‘But (Philippe) Coutinho is on the left!’ So I said, never mind, I will play on the right. I could see myself in all the positions.”
Sadio Mane’s transfer decision made after Manchester United and Bayern Munich reach an agreement on Harry Kane
