Sadio Mane's time at Liverpool could now be coming to an end.
On Sunday, the ECHO's Liverpool correspondent, Paul Gorst reported that Mane may be poised to ask for an exit from the club. Liverpool will demand more than €30m for the winger and will only be willing to sell if a replacement is sourced.
The rumours started after the Senegal forward spoke to the media last week ahead of the Champions League final in Paris. He said, “I am fully focused on the Saturday game, that is the answer I must give before the final. But come back to me on Saturday and I will give you the answer. It’s special.”
But should Liverpool sell up or force Mane to stay put and see out his contract? Our writers Joe Rimmer and Theo Squires have given their thoughts.
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'Keep him. There's no substitute for world class'
Theo Squires: I can understand the argument for selling Sadio Mane now. He’s been a loyal servant for Liverpool and so crucial to their rise under Jurgen Klopp. As a result, there is no sense in risking soiling his relationship with club and supporters by keeping a player who seemingly wants to depart.
But who’s to say his mind is made up? It was only a couple of weeks ago we saw Kylian Mbappe complete a surprise u-turn by staying at PSG after pushing for Real Madrid for so long after all.
And with Bayern Munich seemingly wanting him to replace Robert Lewandowski if the Poland international successfully forces an exit, it’s worth noting club president Herbert Hainer’s public stance.
“Robert has a contract until 2023. That’s how long he will play with us,” he said. “There is no substitute for such a world-class player. He has a contract, so I assume he fulfils it. It is his right not to extend his contract.”
It’s Mane’s right not to extend his contract too, but there is no substitute for such a world-class player.
Yes, if the club could fetch £40m+ for his services, that is a small profit on the £34m they spent on him six years, six trophies and 120 goals ago. But Mane was 24 when Liverpool signed him. Who on earth can the Reds bring in for such a fee to replace one of their world class players?
Luis Diaz cost £49m and had never played in the Premier League. Diogo Jota cost £45m and while the deadliest of finishers, is not quite at the Senegalese’s level. The forward was the Reds’ best forward in 2022. He fits perfectly into this Reds system and has always scored and always delivered, whichever of the front three positions he fills. That is so vital to Liverpool’s hopes of future success and can not be easily replaced.
Lose him now, with question marks still hanging over Mohamed Salah’s form and future, and Liverpool are making a big gamble. When Man City have just signed Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, it is not a gamble they should consider making.
Sure, the time will come when he does depart but that doesn’t need to be this summer. For now, it’s better the devil you know.
Let us know in the comments below who you would like to see replace Sadio Mane leaves Liverpool in the summer...
'All teams must evolve'
SELL: As much as it pains me to say it, it's time to wave Sadio Mane goodbye.
Joe Rimmer: If it is his wish to depart Anfield and not sign a new, long-term contract with the club then so be it. He should be allowed to walk away with his head held high.
Mane has been a brilliant player since arriving in summer 2016. His signing has been truly transformational for the club and nobody could have predicted the success he'd have at Liverpool.
But all good things must come to an end and there is always a replacement.
It hurt when Robbie Fowler left, but Michael Owen made up for it. Owen's departure was tough to take, but three years later Fernando Torres arrived. And on the same day Torres walked out for Chelsea, a certain Luis Suarez was being unveiled at Anfield.
Big exits are always tough to take but teams simply must evolve and Liverpool's transfer record since Jurgen Klopp was appointed has been virtually flawless. They must be trusted to get this decision right.
And sometimes you need to be ruthless in order to stay ahead of your rivals. Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley both tore down decorated sides in order to build their next one, and Sir Alex Ferguson was a master at selling at the right time.
Mane's stock has rarely been higher at Liverpool and if the Reds can extract a good fee for him from a willing suitor, then that money can be spent on somebody who, like Mane, can lead the line for Liverpool for the next six years.
Nothing lasts forever, and it may be time to say goodbye and wish Sadio Mane well.
