Liverpool are still negotiating with Bayern Munich over a summer sale to release Sadio Mane from his contract and delegates from the Bundesliga outfit will fly to Merseyside this week.
The Bavarians, however, have been stopped in their tracks by Liverpool who have deemed their bids for Mane as unacceptable, with sporting director Julian Ward telling them not to waste their time flying to England.
According to Paul Joyce: “Julian Ward, Liverpool’s new sporting director, is instead using £42.5 million as a benchmark figure for negotiations and has told Bayern there is no point holding face-to-face talks unless they are prepared to make a serious bid.”
After a season that saw him win the AFCON, Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, Liverpool are entitled to demand a major fee for his signature.
The forward scored 23 goals this season and also assisted 5 for teammates, including a fantastic reverse pass to Mohamed Salah to unlock Manchester United’s defence in April.
According to SportBILD, via LFC Transfer Room, Mane has an agreement in place with Bayern Munich which puts Liverpool at a disadvantage in talks although Ward’s warning to the Germans argues otherwise.
Additionally, Bayern Munich “bosses” are planning a trip to England this week to “meet personally” with Liverpool to continue negotiations for Mane.
Unless they indicate they are ready to submit “a serious bid”, that seems unlikely.
They are reportedly “counting on Liverpool honouring” their side of negotiations by returning the favour after Thiago Alcantara moved to the club for around €25M.
The Spaniard has been an outstanding player for Liverpool but he was allowed to leave for such a reduced fee due to being injury-prone with a year left on his Bayern contract.
The Sadio Mane talks aren’t the same as they were for Thiago.
For a starter, the Liverpool forward has an exemplary injury record and was one of the best attackers in Europe this season.
Historically, attackers cost more than midfielders given how they affect the game so drastically at the top end of the pitch but with a year left on Mane’s ideal, Liverpool are in a weak position to demand a massive fee.
