Sadio Mane wants to leave Liverpool as a difficult 24 hours for the Reds looks set to get even worse with the attacker’s desire to go.
Liverpool faced Real Madrid in the Champions League on Saturday night, desperately seeking a third cup win of the season to secure a treble.
It wasn’t to be though as Vinicius Junior pounced to hand Real Madrid a 1-0 win with a close-range finish.
Liverpool end the season with two trophies, which is no disgrace at all, but the season finishes with something of a disappointment.
Liverpool fans are feeling low enough today – especially with the ridiculous treatment they were dealt in Paris – and it has now got even worse with Mane’s potential exit.
Sadio Mane wants to leave Liverpool
Liverpool may have seen this coming in recent times with Mane’s contract expiring in 2023.
The Senegal star has been in sensational form in 2022 but now seemingly feels that the time is right for a move away.
Mane, 30, has spent six years with Liverpool having arrived from Southampton in 2016.
A modern-day hero at Anfield, Mane’s exit will be a devastating blow to Liverpool.
Goal report that Mane will now tell Liverpool he wants to leave – but they want a replacement signed first.
Who could replace Mane at Liverpool?
That will send Liverpool back into the transfer market for another attacker even after landing Luis Diaz in January.
With that in mind, here are five potential options to replace Mane in the Liverpool attack…
Arnaut Danjuma
Villarreal star Danjuma has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while. Goal reported earlier this year that Liverpool think Danjuma can replace Mane down the line.
That wasn’t seen as a priority after Diaz signed but Danjuma should be one of the top Liverpool targets to replace Mane.
Danjuma, 25, has racked up 16 goals in 34 games this season and has the same versatility as Mane; right-footed but left-sided whilst also being capable of playing through the middle.
The Dutchman has the age profile that Liverpool like and claims of a £45million release clause have to be appealing.
Ousmane Dembele
Catalan newspaper SPORT reported on Saturday that Liverpool have made contact with Barcelona winger Dembele.
The 25-year-old is out of contract in June, meaning he could join Liverpool for absolutely nothing.
Skilful, quick and dangerous when fully fit and firing, Dembele has so much talent but hasn’t lived up to his £135million price tag.
Injuries have been a problem for the Frenchman but he has racked up an impressive 13 assists in 21 La Liga games this season.
Jurgen Klopp met with Dembele in 2016 to discuss a move to Anfield but the winger picked Borussia Dortmund instead.
Klopp appears to be a fan of Dembele and free agent status means Liverpool may well have a look.
Serge Gnabry
Mane’s most likely destination right now appears to be Bayern Munich, which may push Gnabry out.
Goal reported in April that Liverpool were keen on Gnabry and boss Klopp is a huge fan of his fellow German.
It was suggested that Gnabry was only wanted if Mohamed Salah went, but you’d imagine the Reds will still be keen with Mane going.
Liverpool’s interest opens up the possibility of a part-exchange deal involving Gnabry and Mane, which could suit all parties.
Rafael Leao
Liverpool must think about adding an attacker who provides similar versatility to Mane in terms of being a threat out wide or up front.
AC Milan star Leao fits the bill having played in both positions during his time in Italy.
The Portuguese speedster has racked up 11 goals and eight assists this season, helping Milan capture the Serie A title.
At just 22, Leao has the kind of potential Liverpool want and reports from Italy earlier in May claimed that Liverpool were keen on him.
Milan won’t want to sell after their title win but you could understand Liverpool trying their luck.
Darwin Nunez
This may sound like the strangest idea but Nunez has played on the left flank as well as leading the Benfica attack.
Nunez was outstanding this season, smashing 26 goals and four assists in 28 league games; oh and six goals in 10 Champions League outings.
Nunez scored in both Champions League legs against Liverpool and showed what a threat he can be in the final third.
The Uruguayan was hailed as a ‘top, top boy’ by Jurgen Klopp in April and Melissa Reddy claims Liverpool have been watching Nunez for a ‘long time’.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
