Liverpool report: Bayern Munich make progress in pursuit of Reds star – but he will come at a cost

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane celebrating
(Image credit: Getty)

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has shown interest in joining Bayern Munich this summer, say reports, and talks have begun between the two parties over a move.

The Senegal star has enjoyed a superb season, scoring 23 goals in all competitions for the Reds and winning the Africa Cup of Nations with his country.

Mane has been a central figure to the Anfield club’s revival under Jurgen Klopp, but Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that his time on Merseyside could be up.

Sadio Mane

(Image credit: PA)

The 30-year-old is tempted by a move, which could be sealed over the next three or four weeks now that talks have begun between the forward’s representatives and Bayern.

The German club’s manager Julian Nagelsmann and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic are eager on a deal that could cost less than €50m (£43m).

There’s little question that the Senegalese star would continue to be a key figure for Klopp if he stays, but he's entering the final year of his contract at Anfield.

Julian Nagelsmann Bayern Munich

(Image credit: Getty)

That could make a big-money bid difficult to refuse, considering the risk of losing Mane on a free next summer if he doesn’t extend his deal.

Klopp isn’t short on forward options, either, thanks to the superb impact made by January signing Luis Diaz, in addition to Mo Salah, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Takumi Minamino.

Mane’s absence would certainly be felt. He’s Liverpool’s top scorer this season, with 23 goals in all competitions (behind Salah’s 31), and he’s made 50 appearances.

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Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.