The transfer of Senegal international from Liverpool to Bayern Munich has now been finalized. But things may have gone quite differently for Sadio Mane if Lionel Messi or Paris Saint-Germain had their way.
Sadio Mane has joined Bayern Munich.
And this is being hailed as one of the greatest Bundesliga acquisitions of all time.
Mane has joined Bayern for a 3-year deal. And Bayern paid £35.1m for the forward.
Reports suggest, that PSG also wanted to acquire the Senegalese sensation.
However, the player’s agent, Bacary Cisse, claims that a potential deal for Mane was derailed by the uncertainty surrounding the future of former PSG sporting director Leonardo, who was fired in May. He told French outlet RMC Sport:
“Yes, PSG did indeed ‘attack’ Sadio. Leonardo had several contacts with the German agent.
They saw each other. And 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. So, we had to wait.”
Lionel Messi also wanted Sadio Mane back at Barcelona
The Player’s agent also confirmed Lionel Messi wanted Sadio Mane to leave Liverpool and join him at Barcelona.
According to Cisse, Messi made signing the star player from Senegal a requirement for him to stay at the Nou Camp.
However, the Catalan club didn’t make an official bid for Mane. And Messi later left Barcelona on a free transfer to join PSG.
Cisse said:
“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.”
Barcelona may benefit from Mane’s transfer to Bayern Munich because they are negotiating to get Robert Lewandowski from the German champions.
The Polish international, whose contract at the Allianz Arena has one year left, is eager to transfer to the Nou Camp.
According to reports, Bayern Munich is sticking out for their £43 million valuation of the 33-year-old striker despite Barcelona’s original offer of £30 million-plus about £4 million in add-ons.
