Senegal manager Aliou Cisse has confirmed that Sadio Mane will stay at Bayern Munich this summer after hinting he would be open to a Premier League return.
Mane, 31, has been linked with a move away from Bayern after a below-par debut campaign at the Allianz Arena. The Senegal international made the £35.1million switch to Germany last summer following a six-year spell at Liverpool and has since scored 12 times in 38 appearances.
He was also suspended by the club in April after a bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane and had been tipped to leave Bayern in the summer transfer window. The Saudi Pro League had targeted Mane as a potential recruit as they attempt to further bolster the division's quality.
N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves and Karim Benzema are amongst the high-profile players to have made the switch to the Middle-East so far this summer, with many more expected to follow. However, Mane will not be one of them, according to his national team boss.
Speaking to 2STV Senegal, Cisse said: "I haven't heard about approaches from Saudi - what's certain is that he stays at Bayern. He signed for three years. He spent one year and still has two. So yes, for now he stays at Bayern."
Mane has also been linked with a move back to the Premier League. Liverpool have invariably been linked with an emotional reunion, whilst Newcastle have been credited with interest as Eddie Howe aims to prepare his squad for their upcoming Champions League campaign.
It appears that Mane is not fully against the idea of a switch to Tyneside. That is according to former British MEP Martin Callahan, who met the Bayern star earlier this month 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!'"
Mane enjoyed plenty of success during his first stint in the Premier League. He scored 25 goals in 75 games for Southampton after joining from RB Salzburg.
That form convinced Liverpool to splash out on him with Mane playing a key role in the side under Jurgen Klopp. He won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and more during a trophy-laden spell on Merseyside.
Although his time at Bayern has been disappointing so far, Senegal teammate Saliou Cisse has predicted Mane to rediscover his form next term. Speaking to Canal+, he said: "Sadio has just joined a new league, a new environment. His injury didn't help. By next season, he will be able to overcome all the problems and poor performances. We will see a new Sadio Mané [next season]."
