Sources: Sadio Mane return greenlit, as Liverpool legend’s links to Chelsea grow after Tuchel wields axe

Graeme Bailey 07 May 2023 6:59 PM

TEAMtalk has learned Bayern Munich are already planning for life without Sadio Mane, and the Liverpool legend may make Mauricio Pochettino’s dreams come true at Chelsea.

Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool sanctioned the sale of Sadio Mane for just an initial £27.4m last summer. Many believed Bayern had pulled off a masterstroke, though the ensuing nine months suggest Liverpool may have sold at just the right time.

Indeed, Mane has scored just 12 times in 36 matches for the German giant. He’s not been a regular starter under either Julian Nagelsmann or Thomas Tuchel, while an off-field incident recently marred his reputation.

Mane punched teammate Leroy Sane in the aftermath of Bayern’s 3-0 thumping at the hands of Man City in the Champions League.

Sane was left with a bloodied lip and Mane was subsequently suspended for Bayern’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim and fined roughly €500,000.

Sky Germany subsequently claimed Bayern are gearing up for a sale of one of their highest profile wingers this summer. Serge Gnabry and Mane are the two players who are on the chopping block.

However, according to our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, it’s Mane who will make way.

Bailey told us Mane was looking to leave Bayern after just one largely unsuccessful in season in Germany anyway. The Sane debacle has only served to embolden Bayern to cash in and manager Tuchel does not see a future for Mane in his plans.

Sadio Mane on the move; Chelsea linked

“Sources I have spoken to at Bayern believe that Mane was looking likely to leave even before the Sane situation,” said Bailey.

“Thomas Tuchel has plans for the club and it is believed Mane is not among them.

“Mane’s next move will be very interesting: will he come back to England? At the moment I am told there are not too many options but his availability is a very new situation and he could very well emerge as an option for someone.”

While far from concrete, one club who have been linked with bringing Mane back to England is Chelsea.

The Blues have been wasteful in the extreme in front of goal this season. Despite a sub-par campaign in Bavaria, Mane is as proven as they come in the Premier League.

A recent report from Football Insider claimed the odds-on favourite to become the next Chelsea boss – Mauricio Pochettino – wishes to sign Mane.

FI stated Pochettino has namechecked Mane in his own discussions with Chelsea’s hierarchy and a bid of around £30m will reportedly be enough to seal a deal.

Given Bayern have seemingly determined Mane is the winger they’ll axe, the chances of seeing him line up at Stamford Bridge next season have swelled.

Sadio Mane