Mane to Stay at Anfield as Liverpool Restart Contract Talks

Liverpool are set to reopen contract talks with Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane, who is attracting strong interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Mane has been with Liverpool since 2016, when he signed from fellow Premier League club, Southampton. Over the past six years, the 30-year-old has grown into one of the best attackers in the Premier League and Europe, playing a critical role in the success that Liverpool have enjoyed during this period.

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The Senegalese speedster is enjoying a memorable 2021/22 campaign, having managed 22 goals and four assists in 48 matches across all competitions, helping Liverpool push for an unprecedented quadruple.

However, Mane’s future at Liverpool beyond the ongoing campaign has come under a cloud of uncertainty due to his contract situation. The 30-year-old’s contract with the Reds runs out at the end of next season, meaning he will be entering the final year of his deal in the summer transfer window.

It has led to interest from clubs across Europe, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich emerging as potential suitors for Mane. Barcelona are in the market for a top-quality forward heading into next season as Xavi Hernandez looks to bring in a marquee player to lead his project from next season.

Erling Haaland had been Barcelona’s top target, but he has since signed for Manchester City. Robert Lewandowski is also on their radar, but Bayern Munich are reluctant to sell the Polish international. It has led to Barcelona eyeing a move for Mane, with reports even claiming that the Senegalese international is keen on signing for the Catalan giants.

Bayern Munich, too, are keen on signing the 30-year-old Liverpool superstar as they look to add more quality to their frontline. Despite the growing interest, Liverpool are not worried about the situation as per the report and plan to restart negotiations over a new contract with him at the end of the season.

The report states that Mane’s agent Bjorn Bezemer will meet with Liverpool once the season is over to sit down and discuss a new contract for the forward. It is also claimed that Bezemer has a good relationship with the Reds’ soon-to-be sporting director Julian Ward, which is why the club are relaxed over the entire situation.

Mane, for his part, has insisted that he is currently focusing on finishing the season strongly and has refused to get drawn in on talks over his future. It remains to be seen if Liverpool can tie down the Senegalese forward to a new contract or if he ends up leaving Anfield for a new challenge in his career.