Bayern clear-out as Tuchel makes decisions on Sadio Mane and Joao Cancelo

16 May 2023 , 14:03

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Sadio Mane looks set to leave Bayern Munich (Image: Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel is likely to set Premier League clubs on alert with Sadio Mane and Joao Cancelo both expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer.

The duo have struggled to replicate their Premier League form in the Bundesliga, with Bayern faltering this season both in the Champions League and domestically. This has led to Mane not being selected to play from the start for Bayern, playing just five minutes at the weekend in a 6-0 win against Schalke 04.

Now, Sky Sport Germany report that Mane's future may lie elsewhere, with the same judgement being applied to Cancelo's career. However, Cancelo's lack of a future in Bavaria is not due to performances - it is because Bayern are unable to match the €70 million [£60m] option to buy clause in the Portuguese full-back's loan agreement with Manchester City.

Cancelo is expected to return to City, but has made is clear that he does not want to play for the club following a bust-up with manager Pep Guardiola. Another loan deal could be on the cards, with Barcelona thought to be lining up a move to take him to La Liga.

Mane, meanwhile, has not had the expected impact at Bayern, with just seven goals scored since joining from Liverpool in a €32 million (£27.8m) transfer last summer. He was expected to play a role as a number nine for Bayern, but has not been able to replicate which marked him out as one of the best attacking players in the world during his time at Liverpool.

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There has also been a number of issues behind the scenes - last month, an altercation with Leroy Sane led to a £260,000 fine being handed to the Senegalese forward. This has led to issues coming to the surface, with criticisms of the player's body language and attitude also contributing to the latest reports which suggest a summer exit.

Joao Cancelo looks unlikely to remain at Bayern Munich, along with Sadio Mane ((Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images))

Also last month, Bayern director Hasan Salihamidzic suggested that the signing had been a mistake, saying: "With Sadio Mane we have signed a new player who can also play as the No.9. In retrospect, of course, you can be the clever one and say: That's not the case. Serge, King, Leroy, Sadio, Tel, Choupo, Thomas, Jamal – they are all top players."

The failure of Mane's move to the Bundesliga could make any potential suitors think twice before pursuing a deal to sign the winger. However, the Premier League clubs will be the only ones who are able to match the €20m [£17.4m] salary which was given to the 31-year-old, who signed a two-year deal last summer.

Bayern's season has been a disappointment, with the sacking of Julian Nagelsmann in March coming after poor domestic performances. New head coach Tuchel was brought in to turn the season around and faces a huge match this weekend against RB Leipzig, it is a must-win fixture with Borussia Dortmund just a single point behind with two matches left to play.

Will Freeman