05 July 2023 , 22:27
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Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has met with Harry Kane over a stunning summer transfer but any deal is likely to be dependant on the future of Sadio Mane.
Former Liverpool forward Mane had appeared set to leave Bayern this summer and had refused to rule out a shock return to the Premier League. Things have not gone to plan for the Senegalese star in the Bundesliga after a £35.1million agreement last summer to move to Munich from the Reds.
Mane has even been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer – the Red Devils are in need of attacking reinforcements. It comes after he outlined that he previously had an agreement in place to join United, before moving instead to Merseyside.
A report from Sky Germany now details how Bayern are intent on moving on Mane this summer, amid interest from Saudi Arabia. However, no formal discussions have yet to take place and the player himself recently spoke of his intentions of remaining in Bavaria.
Last month, Mane was asked by Senegalese broadcaster 2sTV whether he will stay at Bayern amid rumours of their interest in Kane. As quoted by German newspaper Bild, Mane said: "Yes, God willing. If everything goes well, I will return to Bayern.
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"I love challenges and Bavaria is a big challenge. It is up to me to do whatever it takes to meet this challenge... It was a very complicated season [just gone], that happens. It wasn't a surprise, I expected things to be a bit complicated. This is completely normal."
Mane's future at Bayern beyond this summer is unclear ((Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images))Have Your Say! Should Man Utd consider a shock swoop for Mane ? Tell us what you think here.
However, those comments may appear at odds with Bayern’s intentions. The 31-year-old was suspended by the German champions for a Bundesliga clash late in the campaign after allegedly hitting teammate Leroy Sane following their 3-0 Champions League defeat at Man City.
The former Reds forward was excluded from Bayern's Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena as punishment alongside a hefty fine. Due to form and fitness issues, Mane has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the club’s attack with competition from the likes of Sane, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller.
Bayern are now pushing hard for a sensational deal to land Tottenham striker and England captain Kane this summer, who would provide a central attacking role that the club have not had since Robert Lewandowski’s exit to Barcelona a year ago.
Mane does not appear to be in Thomas Tuchel's Bayern plansMane hit 120 goals for Liverpool in 269 appearances and collected six major honours during his time in Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have struggled to adapt to life without the forward – who proved to be consistently excellent across his Anfield stint.
Yet it all could have been so different. "I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United," Mane told the Daily Telegraph last year, outlining his move to Liverpool in 2016. "I had the contract there. I had it all agreed. It was all ready, but instead, I thought, 'No, I want to go to Liverpool.'
"I was convinced to go with (Jurgen) Klopp's project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp. He said, 'We have a big project at Liverpool and I want you to be part of it.'
"Then he asked what position I wanted because he could see at Southampton I played on the right side and I used to play on the left. I said I prefer left, and then he said, 'But (Philippe) Coutinho is on the left!' So I said, never mind, I will play on the right. I could see myself in all the positions."