Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Sadio Mane from Liverpool in a deal worth up to £35m.
The German champions, who have won the Bundesliga ten years in a row, have signed the Senegalese forward who had one year remaining on his contract at Anfield.
The former Southampton man won six major trophies during his six years with Liverpool and he departs as a Red legend.
The 30-year-old, who can play anywhere across the front line, has signed a three-year deal with the Bavarian giants and heads to the Allianz Arena after scoring 120 goals for Liverpool under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp.
Mane will be hoping to replicate the success he had on Merseyside with Julian Nagelsmann’s Die Roten (The Reds).
The African Cup of Nations winner will undoubtedly leave a massive void behind at Anfield, but Liverpool moved quickly to replace their former number ten with the blockbuster signing of Uruguyan star Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
TBR takes a look at Bayern Munich’s potential 2022-23 XI following the signing of Sadio Mane.
Bayern Munich’s potential 2022-23 XI following the signing of Sadio Mane
Known for their shrewd business in the summer transfer market, Bayern have already got to work on improving their squad ahead of next season.
Talented Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui will arrive at the Allianz Arena on a free transfer on 1 July following the expiry of his Ajax contract.
The 24-year-old who flourished under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during their time together at Amsterdam could replace Benjamin Pavard as Bayern’s first-choice right-back.
The 12-time Moroccan international is likely to be joined in defence by French duo Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano, with fellow attack-minded defender Alphonso Davies being deployed at left-back.
Legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will remain Bayern’s number one stopper.
Bayern have already signed talented Netherlands international Ryan Gravenberch who also heads to Munich from Eredivisie champions Ajax.
The 20-year-old wonderkid could slot into midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Nagelsmann is keen on a reunion with RB Leipzig star Konrad Laimer.
While the signing of Mane is a big coup for Bayern, attentions will now likely turn to trying to resolve Robert Lewandowski’s future.
The legendary Pole has made it clear that he doesn’t see his future at the Allianz Arena and is keen to join Barcelona this summer, but Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic has made it clear that the clinical marksman has a year left to run on his contract and that he’s expected to report for pre-season training in July.
While Bayern won’t want to keep an unhappy player, the 33-year-old is irreplaceable and his departure would leave a gaping hole in their forward line.
But TBR are predicting that Bayern will buckle and will sanction the Poland international’s departure this summer which could result in Mane playing centrally.
While Mane won’t be joined in attack by the likes of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah, he could strike up an equally devastating partnership with speed demons Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman.
After winning ten consecutive league titles, Bayern’s success isn’t going to be measured on how they fare domestically. A clean sweep of the German gongs is the minimum that’ll be expected of Nagelsmann’s charges.
The club’s success will be measured on how far they go in the Champions League, but ultimately anything apart from lifting the trophy will be deemed a failure.
Sadio Mane’s arrival and ability to come up trumps in the big moments will bolster Bayern, but the uncertainty surrounding Lewandowski’s future remains the big story in Bayern’s transfer window.