Sadio Mane is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer and has refused to rule out a shock return to the Premier League.
Mane joined Bayern Munich in a £35.1million agreement from Liverpool last summer. The experienced forward pulled the curtain down on six trophy-laden seasons at the Merseyside club after making it clear he wanted a new challenge.
Mane has even been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer – the Red Devils are in need of attacking reinforcements. It comes after he outlined that he previously had an agreement in place to join United, before moving instead to Merseyside.
The Senegalese star hit 120 goals for Liverpool in 269 appearances and collected six major honours during his time in Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have struggled to adapt to life without the forward – who proved to be consistently excellent across his Anfield stint.
Yet it all could have been so different. "I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United," Mane told the Daily Telegraph last year, outlining his move to Liverpool in 2016. "I had the contract there. I had it all agreed. It was all ready, but instead, I thought, 'No, I want to go to Liverpool.'
"I was convinced to go with (Jurgen) Klopp's project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp. He said, 'We have a big project at Liverpool and I want you to be part of it.'
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"Then he asked what position I wanted because he could see at Southampton I played on the right side and I used to play on the left. I said I prefer left, and then he said, 'But (Philippe) Coutinho is on the left!' So I said, never mind, I will play on the right. I could see myself in all the positions."
A return to English football for Mane does not appear to be off the cards. According to former British MEP Martin Callahan, who has met the Bayern star at an EITI International conference in Senegal.
Taking to Twitter with a picture of the pair together, he wrote: “I’m in Senegal speaking at the EITI conference. Honoured to meet Sadio Mane in the hotel. I couldn’t resist asking him about coming to Newcastle next season. His enigmatic reply: ‘Never say never!’”
It comes amid doubt on Mane’s future at Bayern. The 31-year-old was returning to action after being suspended by the German champions for a Bundesliga clash last month after allegedly hitting teammate Leroy Sane following their 3-0 Champions League defeat at Man City.
The former Reds forward was excluded from Bayern's Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena as punishment alongside a hefty fine. Due to form and fitness issues, Mane has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the club’s attack with competition from the likes of Sane, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller.
While he struggled for consistency under former boss Julian Nagelsmann, he has not enjoyed an upturn in fortunes under Thomas Tuchel. Sky Sport Germany have previously reported that the forward has no future at the club and will be sold this summer.
However, Bild argue that Mane’s current plan is to return to Bayern for the start of pre-season training at the start of July. It would take a significant salary offer to tempt the forward away from Munich – but it remains to be seen if he will play an important role for the German champions next season.
