Liverpool’s and Senegalese international Sadio Mane is reportedly attracting interest from three big European clubs.
The Mirror suggests that Spanish sides Barcelona have focused all of their attentions on the 25-year-old after failing to secure the signature of his team-mate Philippe Coutinho during the summer transfer window.
The report adds that Champions League holders Real Madrid and Italian champions Juventus are also keeping tabs on Mane after his brilliant start to the new season for Liverpool.
Sadio Mane exit good for Liverpool?
I see no reason why Liverpool should consider selling Sadio Mane whether it be in January or next year.
Mane was one of the best signings of the season last summer and he instantly became a fan favourite and one of the promising player in Liverpool first-team in debut season at Anfield.
The forward absence was felt in the Reds squad when he was away on international duty playing for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations last January as they failed to win a single match.
He has already shown his qualities in the early stages of this season, scoring three goals and one assist across all competitions, forming a formidable attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and the Merseyside summer signing Mohamed Salah.
Despite producing a total of 35 attempts on goal, Liverpool were not quantifiable enough against Burnley on the weekend and the Senegalese was a huge loss for them following his send-off against Manchester City last weekend.
How likely is this going to happen in January on next summer?
With Mane already playing for Liverpool in the Champions League, the reported clubs are unlikely to chase him during the January transfer window as he will not be eligible to compete for the knockout rounds of the competition.
However, there is always the potential for Spanish sides to make a move for him in the summer but they will need to table a huge offer with the Senegalese’s current deal at Anfield still running until 2021.
Although, Mane’s long-time future with the Reds still remains uncertain as if the Reds fail to reach the latter stages of the Champions League and also struggle to maintain a genuine title challenge this season, Mane could be tempted to leave the club to win silverware.
F/W’s view
After showing Barcelona that they will not be intimated into selling Philippe Coutinho this summer, the Reds must hold firm once again on Sadio Mane as losing him could potentially be a bigger loss to the team in the long-run.