Bayern Munich wantaway superstar Sadio Mane is laying the groundwork for a top-dollar move to Saudi Arabia.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Senegal international’s representative Bjorn Bezemer from the ROOF agency will land in Japan this week to accelerate talks with Al-Nassr.
Mane had a difficult first season at the Allianz Arena after ending a trophy-laden six-year stint at Liverpool to join Bayern in a blockbuster £35 million transfer last summer.
Despite touching down in Munich as one of the world’s top forwards, the 31-year-old could only score seven times in 25 Bundesliga appearances.
His off-field issues, including a notorious physical showdown against former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane, cast an even larger shadow on his frustrating time a Bayern.
Only a year ago, Mane was one of Europe’s most lethal attackers, but now he could be on the verge of leaving the continent to launch a new career in the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Nassr tabled a €40m bid for the unsettled Bayern ace on Monday after being informed of the player’s wish to cut short his adventure in Germany and find refuge in the Middle East.
Ben Jacobs’ report from yesterday confirmed the Bavarians are satisfied with the Saudis’ offer, which means it’s now up to Mane to agree personal terms before completing a move.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the first household name to join Al-Nassr back in January, with Alex Telles, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic following in his footsteps this summer.
The trio’s arrival is part of the ambitious Saudi project involving high-profile recruitments of some of Europe’s finest talents in costly deals.
Mane could be the next in line to take the route that has seen dozens of players from Europe’s top-five leagues embrace lucrative contracts in the Gulf state.
His departure could hand Bayern’s hopes of signing Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane a decisive boost after seeing back-to-back bids for the England skipper rejected.
