With Barcelona’s search for a new forward continuing, a new name has popped up in the media as a target for the club.
Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane will be entering the final year of his contract at the end of the season. And with talks over a renewal yet to take place, Barça are keeping close tabs on the situation as they eye a swoop for the Senegalese superstar.
The 30-year-old has been with the Reds since 2016 and has been a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s side and the success they have achieved over the years. However, his contract situation has cast doubts on his future.
Barcelona, for their part, are seeking a new prolific forward to lead their project under Xavi Hernandez. Erling Haaland had been their primary target, but the Borussia Dortmund ace is set to complete a move to Manchester City this week.
Robert Lewandowski is another name that the Blaugrana have considered, but Bayern Munich are playing hardball and are reluctant to let him leave, forcing Xavi & co. to look at Mane as an option.
And as per Mundo Deportivo, the 30-year-old Liverpool superstar is open to joining Barcelona in the summer.
The report states that the former Southampton and Red Bull Salzburg forward believes that he would stand a greater chance of winning the Ballon d’Or if he played for the Catalan heavyweights and is, thus, keen on the move.
It is further said that Mane has a dream of playing in La Liga, with a special preference for Barcelona. The 30-year-old, who led Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations triumph earlier this year, is currently focused on ending the season with Liverpool.
The Reds are in the finals of the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League while battling Man City for the Premier League title. Having already won the Carabao Cup this season, Liverpool have a shot at winning the unprecedented quadruple.
Should they go on to do that, Mane would be in the running for the Ballon d’Or. However, as per the report, the forward is open to joining Barcelona and it remains to be seen how things pan out in the summer.
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