Liverpool forward Sadio Mane would reportedly be open to joining Barcelona or Real Madrid in the summer should they make an approach.
According to GOAL, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane as he would consider making the switch to La Liga in the summer transfer window.
Mane arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2016 from Premier League rivals Southampton. The Senegalese quickly established himself as a key member of the setup at Anfield and has grown in stature year after year, helping the Reds to great success along with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk.
Mane has featured 244 times for Liverpool, producing an impressive tally of 107 goals and 44 assists. Widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the Premier League, the Senegalese speedster recently led his national team to the Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
While Mane remains an integral part of the Liverpool team, his current contract with the club is set to run out in eighteen months. There has been plenty of focus on Mohamed Salah, who finds himself in the same boat as his attacking partner. However, talks over a deal for Mane have not yet kicked into gear.
Mane would reportedly consider switching clubs in the summer should Barcelona or Real Madrid approach. The Senegalese superstar wants to be recognised as the greatest African footballer of all time and deems it necessary to win more titles in a different league, having already won it all with Liverpool.
To that end, he is believed to have informed his agents to keep the door open over a potential move to La Liga, in case either Barcelona or Real Madrid come calling. Both La Liga giants have been heavily linked with Mane in the past. However, his standing at Liverpool meant that a move was never in question.
But things are changing at Anfield as Diogo Jota is gaining more prominence while the club also brought in Luis Diaz in January. With Mane set to enter the final year of his deal in the summer, it will be the Reds’ last chance to get a transfer fee for him, or they risk losing him for nothing in 2023.
As things stand, Barcelona have their eyes on a big splash for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland. But with Ousmane Dembele set to depart in the summer, there could be room for another forward in the team.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are pushing to sign Kylian Mbappe to strengthen their attack. But with Eden Hazard’s struggles continuing, Los Blancos could decide to axe the former Chelsea superstar and make room for Mane.
