Sadio Mane recently signed a three-year contract with Bayern Munich, thus bringing the curtains down to his storied career at Liverpool which lasted for six seasons. Bayern Munich pursued him furiously in the transfer market, and saw their first two offers rejected by Mane’s ex-employer. Bayern then bettered their bids and eventually sealed the deal at £35.1m.
Liverpool also had offers from PSG for their star forward, revealed Mane’s advisor Bacary Cisse. Leonardo Araujo, the sporting director of the PSG, was in talks in with several agents to discuss the possibility. But it didn’t transpire as Araujo was fired from his post just before the transfer window opened.
“Yes, PSG did indeed ‘attack’ Sadio. Leonardo had several contacts with the German agent,” said Cisse. “They saw each other, they discussed the ins and outs of a possible transfer of Sadio at PSG, but it ended there. Everyone knows that Leonardo was on an ejection seat; we had to wait.”
It is believed that Lionel Messi is a big fan of the Senegalese striker, and has been trying to get him in his side for quite some time. Moreover, with the French club looking to offload Neymar this season, Mane could have been a perfect replacement.
Cisse also revealed that Messi tried to bring Mane to Barcelona in 2021. Messi wanted to pair up with Mane when he was negotiating a contract extension with Barcelona last year. But the Catalans were unable to renew Messi’s contract due to their lopsided wage bill, and thus Mane stayed at Liverpool.
“Last year it could have also happened with FC Barcelona. It was Lionel Messi who imposed Sadio Mane in the deal when it was a question of him extending to Barca. He had given two names: Sadio Mane and an Argentinian central defender,” added Cisse.
Mane will be linking up with Leroy Sane, Robert Lewandowski, and Kingsley Coman at his new club. Lewandowski, though, has already expressed his desire to quit Bayern, but the club wants him to complete the remaining one-year in his contract.
Featured Image Source: Twitter/Barcelona
