Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane, who could cost a whopping €150 million, is reportedly seeking a summer transfer to Spanish giants Real Madrid
According to a report from France Football, Liverpool star Sadio Mane is intent on securing a transfer to La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid when the transfer window reopens. The Senegalese speedster is expected to cost somewhere around €150 million.
Mane has grown into one of the deadliest forwards in Europe, helping Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League glory last season, while also winning the Premier League Golden Boot.
Mane has been one of the chief driving forces behind the Merseyside giants’ Premier League title tilt this time out. Prior to the season getting suspended, the 28-year-old had scored 18 goals and set up 12 more in 38 games in all competitions.
Real Madrid’s interest in Mane isn’t new. The report claims that the Merengues’ boss Zinedine Zidane was intent on securing his signing two years ago, prior to leaving his job at the club in 2018. And, heading into the next season, the Frenchman has identified the Senegalese international as his primary transfer target once again.
Mane, too, is keen on making the move as per the report. It claims that the former Southampton man is upset with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after the German snubbed him to back his teammate Virgil van Dijk in the Ballon d’Or race last year. This seemingly hasn’t gone down all too well with the 28-year-old, leaving him pondering over an exit.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to be interested in Mane, as a potential replacement for Neymar or Kylian Mbappe, if either end up leaving the club in the summer. The former has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona. However, Mane has his heart set on a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu only.
Under normal circumstances, Mane’s €150 million valuation wouldn’t be a problem for Real Madrid. However, given the current situation across the globe due to the coronavirus pandemic, finances are likely to take a hit, casting doubts on whether Los Blancos are willing to splash so much money on a single player, according to an alternate report from Mundo Deportivo.
Mane joined Liverpool from fellow Premier League outfit Southampton in the summer of 2016. Till date, the 28-year-old has accumulated 161 appearances for the Reds, scoring 77 goals and assisting 34 more.
The 61-time capped Senegalese international is contracted with Liverpool till 2023. Given his status within the team, it is unlikely that Liverpool would allow to leave him anytime soon.
