The Liverpool ace was linked with a move away from Anfield in the summer.
Liverpool ace Sadio Mane spoke exclusively to the Liverpool Echo about his future at Anfield, and insisted that rumours linking him with a switch to Real Madrid were nothing more than just mere speculation.
The Senegal international also opened up on how two of his teammates Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were constantly on his back to sign a new deal, before he eventually put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract in November last year.
The 26-year-old joined Liverpool from Southampton in the summer of 2016 for around £34 million, according to BBC Sport, and he has gone on to rack up an impressive 43 goals and 20 assists in 101 appearances in all competitions.
Mane’s excellent form for Jürgen Klopp’s side did not go unnoticed, however.
France Football reported in the summer that Real Madrid were keen to bring the pacey winger to the Bernabeu, but a move failed to materialise.
Mane then committed his long-term future to Liverpool just a few months later, and he told the Liverpool Echo how leaving Anfield was never really an option:
“Speculation is part of football,” said the Liverpool forward. “You just learn to live with it and not to take it too seriously. All I can say is that my only concern is Liverpool. Mo, Bobby… it seemed like everyone was signing contracts and they were saying: ‘Hey Sadio, when are you going to sign?’. I said to each of them: ‘Don’t worry bro, I will sign’. And what did I do? I signed… so they are pleased now!”
Liverpool have every chance of winning the Premier League this season, and if they mange to do just that, Mane’s decision to stay on Merseyside will be well and truly vindicated.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
