Liverpool have begun talks over a contract extension for Sadio Mane this summer.
That’s according to The Mirror, who claim that The Reds have ‘quietly’ entered discussions with the player. Mane’s contract is due to end in 2023 and he has reportedly been the subject of interest from Bayern Munich.
The Mirror claim that Liverpool have had ‘no contact’ from Bayern. However, their reported interest could ‘force matters’ over Mane’s contract situation.
An agreement is yet to be reached over fresh terms for Liverpool’s number 10, though talks reportedly continue to take place.
Rumblings of discontent
Mane’s future is very much on the menu at Liverpool at the moment. On Monday evening news broke from Sky Sports that the 30-year-old’s agent had met with Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic over last weekend.
Although it’s just rumours at this point, it does highlight just how delicate the forward’s current situation is.
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If Liverpool can’t agree a new contract with the player who has scored 118 goals for them, he will be able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with another club next January.
His situation is of course identical to that of Mohamed Salah as well as Roberto Firmino.
Mane looking for a pay rise
According to 90min, Mane is reportedly looking to be made Liverpool’s highest earner in order to sign a new contract.
Unless he has it in mind to lower those demands, it seems unlikely that he’ll be staying with Liverpool.
In figures from Spotrac, Mane is on a relatively low £100-per-week for The Reds. Seen through the lens of his importance to the team as well as the salaries of some of his teammates, it’s easy to see why he would want a significant raise.
Whether FSG will sanction such an increase for a player who has already entered his thirties, well, we’ll soon find out.
In terms of current output Mane would deserve a new deal for Liverpool. His form over the last months of the season has been fantastic.
Prior to that though, there were obvious signs that his considerable talents were starting to fade a little.
Klopp is clearly a huge fan of his, and he’s been an absolutely terrific player for Liverpool over the years. It would be a real shame to see him leave. As with Salah, there remains hope that a deal can be reached.