Michael
The 30-year-old Reds forward joins the German champions in a deal worth an initial £27.5m ending a six-year stint at Anfield
Sadio Mane’s transfer from Liverpool to German champions Bayern Munich was made official on June 22, ending a month of speculation
The move is a blow to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who had hoped Mane would stay despite the striker’s cryptic comments about his future before the Reds’ Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
Bayern tempted Mane with a staggering pay packet of around £360,000/$440,000 per week salary
Although Mane played an important part in Liverpool’s successful 2021/22 season, in which the club advanced to three finals and finished one point shy of the Premier League title, he had one year left on his contract at the age of 30.
It became apparent that a departure was a possibility even before the UEFA Champions League final loss in May. Talks between Liverpool and the player on an extension had apparently cooled by then, and media were already inquiring about his future.
The Senegal captain joined Liverpool from fellow Premier League side Southampton in 2016, and blossomed into a world-class star. His name remains in contention for the 2022 Ballon d’Or award.
During his tenure with the Reds, he won the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, League Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, plus an Africa Cup of Nations title with Senegal earlier this year.
The former Liverpool forward said Klopp wished him well ahead of his move to Germany but felt sad at seeing him leave Anfield after an impressive six-year spell.
Mane, speaking at his Bayern unveiling, said: “Klopp was a little bit sad but wished me all the best. I’ll always be grateful to him.
“I spent six wonderful years in Liverpool with very nice people and great fans. They were not happy that I left but that’s a part of life, I needed a new challenge.
“Klopp is a very good guy, he wanted me to stay but understood my situation.
“We achieved everything at Liverpool. I’ve seen how good Bayern are on TV before. I’ve watched them in the Champions League. No doubt they’re one of the best clubs in the world. I believe 100 per cent that we can achieve big things.”
In June 2016, Sadio Mane became the most expensive African player in history at the time when he moved to Liverpool for £34 million from Southampton.
The Senegal international forward had impressed new Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with 25 goals in 75 games for Saints and quickly became a key player at Anfield, helping Liverpool to win the Champions League (2019), Club World Cup (2019), FA Cup (2022) and Carabao Cup (2022), while also ensuring an end to their 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2020. What incredible achievements. The end of an era. All the best Sadio. YNWA
