Sadio Mane could become one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League when he completes a staggering move to Al Nassr.
Mane only moved clubs last year when he ended a glittering six-year spell with Liverpool and signed for Bayern Munich in a £34 million switch.
He won the Bundesliga in his first season but only scored seven times in the league and was suspended by the club after allegedly punching teammate Leroy Sane after a dressing room bust-up following the 3-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
Rumours about his future had been swirling amid strong interest from the Saudi Pro League, who have lured his old Liverpool teammates Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson.
And now Sky Germany say Al Nassr have agreed a £24 million fee with Bayern, with Mane now due to undergo a medical over in Dubai on Monday.
He will unite with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, and summer signings Alex Telles, Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana.
Saudi clubs have attracted a dozen of world-class players with hefty pay packages and Mane will be among the top earners in the SPL, with reports stating he will collect more than £34 million per year tax free.
That equates to a whopping £650,000-a-week, which will place him fifth in the list of highest-paid players in Saudi.
Ronaldo and Benzema are comfortably the two best-paid played in the country, raking in £173 million and £172 million respectively.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe was offered a mindblowing £604 million for one year after Al Hilal tabled a world-record £259 million bid but the Frenchman had no interest in the proposal.
Mane will sign a contract until 2027, meaning he could rake in £134 million from the move if he sees out the full duration of the deal.
Al Nassr’s signing of Sadio Mane is set to cost Liverpool millions.
Mane was a fan-favourite at Liverpool prior to his departure to Bayern Munich last summer for a reported fee of up to £35 million including add-ons.
The Senegalese striker is set to move on from Bayern though, with a move to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League all but complete pending official confirmation.
Despite having only joined Bayern last season, things have not worked out well for Sadio Mane, who is already seeking a new challenge despite winning the Bundesliga with the Bavarian club.
The Reds’ former no.10 racked up 120 goals in 269 games in his time at the club, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Many expected him to replicate his form in Germany, but Mane’s time in Munich was cut short following an altercation with teammate and ex-Man City winger Leroy Sane.
Following this, Mane was given a hefty £250,000 fine and a suspension and under new manager Thomas Tuchel, he has largely been out of favour.
Liverpool may now receive less than the £35 million agreed upon with Bayern Munich if their former player decides to seal his move to the Middle East.
The deal between Liverpool and Bayern Munich for Sadio Mane was initally £27.5m, with a further £5m based on appearances, and £2.5m in add-ons based on individual and team achievements.
Mane missed a chunk of Bayern’s season due to surgery needed to treat a leg injury, limiting the number of appearances made by the attacker.
Liverpool can look forward to receiving more than the initial £27.5m fee though, as Bayern secured the Bundesliga title amid an underwhelming season where they did not win any other silverware.
The Merseyside club are currently undergoing a massive rebuild as they look to challenge for titles next season following a largely unsuccessful 2022/23 season.
Several of their players have been moved on, such as Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, and Roberto Firmino to name a few.
They have so far managed to sign the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister so far this window, and are currently eyeing up Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, though they have had a £45m bid rejected so far.
