Bayern Munich are ready to play the long game in trying to sign Sadio Mane from Liverpool and the transfer tussle has clear similarities with another move between the two clubs.
Back in September 2020, Liverpool managed to get a deal over the line for Bayern midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Reds paid an initial fee of £20million, with a further commitment for £5m in add-ons depending on performance-based criteria.
That transfer fee was viewed as a bargain at the time – and it seems Bayern are trying to pull a similar move this time around. According to reports in Germany , the Bavarian giants have already seen a first offer for Mane of £21m plus £4m in add-ons rejected by Liverpool, but they have not given up, with a second offer of a fixed £30m fee with £4.2m in potential bonuses being readied.
Bayern are certainly confident of getting their man. President Herbert Hainer recently told BILD : "If we really want a player, we are able to get him. But he has to suit us." If fresh reports are to be believed, Thiago has even offered Mane use of his Munich mansion.
Mane, who has been a key player for Liverpool over the past six years by scoring 120 goals in 269 matches, has not hesitated to stir the pot himself. The 29-year-old has suggested he will follow the wishes of Senegal’s fans by leaving before later insisting he was "joking" with those comments and maintains full respect for Liverpool.
The negotiations, claims and counterclaims look set to continue for some time, with the summer transfer window not officially opening until July 1. But, if as expected, they do eventually sign Mane this summer it can be seen as the German club exacting revenge on Liverpool for their Thiago deal two years ago.
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Thiago was extremely successful at Bayern. He was there seven years and won seven Bundesliga titles, as well as four DFB-Pokal trophies and the Champions League. Rewind two years and he was 29 years old with another 12 months left on his Bayern contract.
Bayern Munich’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic worked hard to keep Thiago before the midfielder turned the tables and insisted on a transfer to Liverpool. "In fact, the talks Hasan had with him have always been very productive,” Rummenigge told Sky Germany at the time.
“And at some point it actually seemed that it was done. But then Thiago informed Hasan that he would like to do something new. We have to accept that. We have a contract with Thiago that is still valid for one year and if he reaches an agreement with any club then that club should pay a transfer fee of a certain amount.”
In the end that “certain amount” turned out to be just £20m. Bayern are clearly now determined to get a similar bargain for Mane who – like Thiago two years ago – is a key player, 29 years old and about to enter the final year of his current contract.
With Mane under contract until June 2023, Liverpool could decide to keep the Senegal international for another season before losing him for nothing at the end of next season. But, like Bayern did with Thiago, the more likely play appears to be to accept his departure, extract the best transfer fee possible and move on.
