Sadio Mane has played an integral role in Liverpool’s ascension into domestic dominance this season and it seems his performances have caught the eye of one of Europe’s giants.
What’s the word?
Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino have formed one of the most deadly understandings in world football in recent years. This season alone they have contributed 35 goals and 27 assists between them across all competitions, but could the trio be broken up in 2020?
Well, according to a recent report from French media outlet Le10sport, the former has attracted interest from Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have made initial contact with the Senegal international’s representatives over a potential summer switch and there is even a suggestion that Zinedine Zidane has spoken to Mane about moving to the Spanish capital.
There is nothing to indicate the 27-year-old is interested in a move but the report is still a concern for the club given Madrid’s international standing and historical appeal.
Biggest blow since Suarez
Liverpool have endured their fair share of transfer setbacks in the Premier League era. Most recently they lost Philippe Coutinho in the mid-season window but, retrospectively speaking, it was actually a wise decision to offload him when his value was soaring so astronomically high.
Raheem Sterling’s decision to join Manchester City remains a gut-wrenching sore point to this day, but no transfer has been quite as disappointing as the deal which saw Luis Suarez join Barcelona in 2015.
The Uruguayan was the club’s chief talisman and provider of goals, scoring a whopping 82 times in 133 games for the club. Losing him was both a physical and metaphorical blow which reflected in the Reds’ league position the year after he left as they slumped to 8th position in Jurgen Klopp’s maiden campaign.
Liverpool have much stronger foundations in place now compared to 2015 when it comes to dealing with the departure of a star player, but there’s no doubt Mane’s exit would be a major blow to their long term ambitions.
The front three’s intricate understanding has been a massive driver in the club’s rise in recent years. Removing one component could damage the machine Klopp has created while the psychological impact of losing Mane to a stark European rival cannot be underestimated.
A summer sale of the relentless goal machine could swing the Premier League pendulum and halt Liverpool’s perpetual rise.
In other Liverpool news, one youngster has provided Jurgen Klopp with a welcome selection headache…
