SADIO MANE might leave Liverpool if Real Madrid make a ‘sizeable’ offer, claims Senegal team-mate Keita Balde.
Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane has been a long admirer of the Senegal star, 28, and the Anfield hierarchy are bracing themselves for an approach.
Keita Balde claims Sadio Mane might leave Liverpool if Real Madrid make a mega-bucks offer
Mane has been in sensational form for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, banging in 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League to help fire the Reds 25 points clear at the top of the table.
The Senegal star arrived at Anfield in 2016 from Southampton and over the past two seasons has helped the Reds to within two wins of their first league title in 30 years.
So it’s no surprise that the Liverpool ace has caught the attention of Zizou, who is plotting a spending spree this summer to boost his squad.
The Los Blancos boss has made it no secret that he is on the hunt for reinforcements at the front with Karim Benzema entering the final few years of his career.
And Senegal team-mate Keita Balde, reckons Mane could be tempted to the Bernabeu if there was an attractive enough offer.
He told Spanish outlet AS: “It depends on many things. I don’t know what his decision is. In a year or two, you may want to change.
“I don’t think he wants to be there forever. He is a smart boy and he knows what is good for him and what he has to do. But in Madrid they are giving out many names.
“The coach loves him very much. He has given a lot to Liverpool and Liverpool to him.
“Something very attractive has to come for him to leave Liverpool. A big team would have to come and promise him many things to think about it.
“He’s a great boy. He deserves the best. He is humble and nobody has given him anything. He deserves to be where he is today.”
Mane only signed his £150,000-a-week contract, designed to keep him with Liverpool until 2023, 18 months ago, meaning any club that comes in for him will have to pay a substantial fee.
However, SunSport understands his representatives have already been approached for informal talks on a possible move.
The Senegal ace is happy to stay at Anfield and the Reds are determined to see off Madrid — just as they did last year when Zidane had his eye on Mo Salah.
But should Zizou get his way, the Reds could set their sights on the possibility of replacing him with Kylian Mbappe.
The Merseysiders could expect to get £150million for Mane and will have to add another £100m to get PSG to the table.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
