Chelsea’s move for Sadio Mane edges closer

Jacque Talbot

• 7 May 2023 22:55 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea’s pursuit of Sadio Mane has received a fresh boost ahead of the summer transfer window.

TeamTalk reports that Bayern Munich have sanctioned the sale of the former Liverpool attacker, with Mauricio Pochettino, who looks set to become the new Blues manager, being able to bring in his target.

Liverpool sanctioned the sale of Mane to Bayern for just an initial £27.4m last summer - it was a polarising sale for Reds fans, while things have not gone to plan for the attacker over in the Bundesliga.

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Mane has scored just 12 times in 36 matches for the German giants - and he has failed to become a regular starter for the club, under their previous manager, Julian Nagelsmann, and even their new boss - Thomas Tuchel.

Mane's nadir

Things reached a nadir for Mane as he was involved in an off-field incident in which he reportedly punched teammate Leroy Sane after of Bayern’s 3-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City in the Champions League.

Mane was subsequently suspended for Bayern’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim, while the club fined him about €500,000.

Sky Germany reports that Mane as well as Serge Gnabry will be sold in the summer window.

TeamTalk reporter Graeme Bailey spoke about the likelihood of the move. “Sources I have spoken to at Bayern believe that Mane was looking likely to leave even before the Sane situation,” said Bailey

“Thomas Tuchel has plans for the club and it is believed Mane is not among them.

The transfer guru continued: “Mane’s next move will be very interesting: will he come back to England? At the moment I am told there are not too many options but his availability is a very new situation and he could very well emerge as an option for someone.”