Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has discussed Sadio Mane’s failed season at Bayern Munich and suggested he could be bound for Saudi Arabia due to their influence on the market
Sadio Mane could be on his way to Saudi Arabia, according to Jurgen Klopp, due to the Saudi Pro-League’s “massive influence” on moves.
The Liverpool manager was pressed for comment on the future of his former forward, who has already left Bayern Munich after only one season at the Allianz Arena. Mane recently revealed his miserable season in Dubai, admitting that he wishes things had gone differently for him while at the Bundesliga giants.
Though his move to Saudi outfit Al-Nassr has not yet been officially confirmed, it is believed that Mane is currently in the Middle East completing the first part of his medical before he is due to pen a four-year deal that will see him pocket a rumoured £650,000 per-week.
“I don’t know what went wrong,” Klopp said of Mane’s fortunes at Bayern and the forward’s next chapter. He left us on a high note and in great shape, as a world-class player. New surroundings, possibly new expectations. I didn’t tell Sadio about it.
“Sadio is a proud man.” We’ll see. The Saudi influence (on transfers) is huge; it has an impact on us, but we must cope with it.” Mane could not deny that things had not gone well with Bayern, telling Sky Sports: “Leaving FC Bayern hurts me.” I would have preferred a different ending.
“I know I could have contributed to the team this season.” “This season, I wanted to prove it to everyone,” the Senegal international continued. “However, I can only wish the club and its fans the best of luck in the future.”
Mane appeared in 38 games for Bayern, scoring 12 goals and assisting on six others. While such figures are not to be dismissed, they pale in comparison to what the 31-year-old would often return throughout his five-year stint at Anfield.
The biggest talking point of Mane’s time at Bayern will of course be his physical altercation with Leroy Sane in April following a defeat by Manchester City, which resulted in the Senegalese star being suspended and fined by the club.
It was a bad season for the Liverpool icon, who also suffered an injury while playing for Bayern that prevented him from representing his country at the Qatar World Cup at the conclusion of last year.
Mane will be looking to turn things around at Al-Nassr, where he will play alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who presently leads the line for the team, which also contains ex-Arsenal keeper David Ospina.
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