Sadio Mane laments Bayern Munich spell as Al-Nassr move looms

By SABC Sport
1st August 2023

Striker Sadio Mane has expressed his disappointment over his stint at Bayern Munich as he prepares to make a switch to Al-Nassr.

The Senegalese forwards move to Bayern last summer was filled with hope and excitement, following Liverpool's near historic quadruple under Jurgen Klopp.

According to various media reports, Mane is now set to join Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al-Nassr for a fee of approximately ‚¬30 million. He has already travelled to Dubai to undergo the initial stages of his medical examination. It won't be long before he officially dons the Al-Nassr jersey, becoming one of the many players leaving Europe for the Middle East this summer.

"Leaving FC Bayern hurts me. I wish it had ended differently. I believe I could have contributed to the team this season, and I wanted to prove it to everyone. Nevertheless, I wish the club and the fans the best for the future," Mane stated in a farewell message to Bayern before the completion of his move, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Mane departs Bayern with a DFL-Supercup and Bundesliga winners' medal under his belt. Throughout the season, he notched 12 goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.

Unfortunately, his campaign was derailed by a knee injury for three months, preventing him from participating in the World Cup in Qatar with Senegal. Even upon his return to fitness, he struggled to find his rhythm and fell out of favour with new Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel after Julian Nagelsmann's mid-March sacking.

The timing of his injury was unfortunate, but it had already become apparent that Bayern was open to selling him this summer, even before the season concluded and the transfer window opened. While Mane expressed his openness to fight for his place, a move away seemed to be the best option for all parties involved.

The 31-year-old will now embark on a new journey in Saudi Arabia, with an attractive wage package awaiting him. Meanwhile, Bayern will have additional funds to potentially pursue the transfer of Harry Kane from Tottenham for a reported deal of around £85 million.