According to a recent report by The Sun, Real Madrid are ready to table a mammoth £150m offer to secure the services of Sadio Mane from Liverpool this summer. The same source has also claimed that Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is a huge admirer of the Senegalese speedster and has already contacted the player’s representatives over a potential move later this year. However, Mane, who still has over three years remaining on his current contract at Anfield, has no intention to press for a move away from Merseyside during the summer transfer window (via The Sun).
Mane’s Growing Influence At Anfield Over The Past 18 Months
Mane has enjoyed one of the most prolific years of his football career under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage this season. He has been responsible for putting in several match-winning performances for the Reds over the past eight months. The Senegalese international has featured in 38 matches for Liverpool this term, netting 18 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions. He has carried his team on his back at times this season after scoring quite a few decisive late goals which have put the club in pole position to win their first Premier League title.
However, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak has halted Liverpool’s march towards ending their long wait for a league title. Mane has averaged 2.3 shots, 1.6 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per game in league football and the UEFA Champions League this season which showcases how consistent he has been with his productivity in the final third (stats via whoscored).
The 28-year-old has represented Senegal in 61 international fixtures, scoring 16 goals for his nation in the process. He will once again play a crucial role for Aliou Cissé’s side in next year’s African Cup of Nations after leading them to a second-place finish in the last edition of the prestigious tournament.
What Will The Senegalese Star Bring To The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium?
Mane can use his blistering pace and power to complete some lung-bursting dribbles to get to the by-line and doesn’t mind tracking back when not in possession of the ball. He excels at beating his marker by turning on the afterburners when left isolated in a 1v1 footrace out on the wide areas. The Senegalese attacker has transformed himself into an accomplished finisher in the final third and has also picked up his fair share of assists this season.
It could prove to be a massive coup for Zidane if he can find a way to lure the Liverpool wide player to the Bernabeu this summer. Mane will not only add plenty of goals and creativity to the Madrid frontline but also instil a winning mentality in the club’s dressing room. With the likes of Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale struggling to stay healthy at the Spanish capital, Zidane needs to recruit a quality attacker like Mane to ease his team’s goal-scoring concerns.
The Reds dribbler will also be a perfect role model for some of Los Blancos’ younger players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz due to his experience and know-how to deliver a consistent run of performances at the highest level. Therefore, Zidane should consider making a big-money offer to bring Mane to the La Liga before the start of the new season.
