Rebuilding Ahead: Liverpool Must Part Ways with Enigmatic £35m Star at Anfield
In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, Ste Hoare, presenter of RedmenTV, voiced his opinion that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should not entertain the idea of bringing back Sadio Mane to Anfield, despite Bayern Munich’s eagerness to offload him.
Mane, who made the switch from Merseyside to Bavaria in a £35 million deal just last year, seems to be on the verge of leaving the Allianz Arena already. German media outlet Bild, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, suggests that the reigning Bundesliga champions are planning a squad overhaul this summer, which could see Mane, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry departing.
Numerous clubs, including Newcastle United, Manchester United, West Ham United, and Brighton & Hove Albion, have been linked with potential moves for Mane as he nears his exit. There have also been offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and several Premier League clubs, along with a lucrative proposal from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
Recently, journalist Ryan Taylor from the Daily Express revealed to GIVEMESPORT that Mane would be interested in returning to Liverpool if he is forced out of Bayern.
However, Ste Hoare believes that Liverpool should not pursue Mane’s return, even if Bayern is willing to accept reduced bids during the transfer window. He expressed his opinion, stating, “We spoke to Sport Bild, and they basically said to us on one of our shows that if anyone offered anything for Sadio Mane, they would probably get him. Bayern just want him off the books and there are a couple of players they want to get rid of. Someone’s probably going to get him, and someone might get a bargain. But it doesn’t feel like the type of signing Liverpool should make. I think Liverpool have got to be looking forwards, not backwards.”
While Mane had an impressive stint at Liverpool, scoring 120 goals and providing 48 assists in 269 appearances, helping secure various trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League, Klopp and the club should focus on new targets in the transfer market rather than dwelling on the past.
Mane’s lackluster performance in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, finding the back of the net only seven times, suggests that his prime days may be behind him. With his current contract at Bayern earning him £306,000-per-week, it would be unwise for Liverpool to consider matching that figure, especially after a relatively underwhelming season.
In the pursuit of progress and building for the future, Liverpool should set their sights on fresh talent, leaving the nostalgia of Mane’s return behind.