Liverpool icon Sadio Mane once opened up about his near move to Manchester United and years later teased a return to the Premier League following interest from another club
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Sport
19:59, 17 Jun 2025
Bayern Munich's Senegalese new forward Sadio Mane gestures during a press conference after he signed a three-year deal with German first division football club FC Bayern Munich, in Munich, southern Germany, on June 22, 2022.
Bayern Munich's Senegalese new forward Sadio Mane gestures during a press conference after he signed a three-year deal with German first division football club FC Bayern Munich, in Munich, southern Germany, on June 22, 2022.
Sadio Mane came close to joining Manchester United(Image: CHRISTOF STACHE, AFP via Getty Images)
Sadio Mane once said “never say never” to the idea of joining Newcastle. The Liverpool legend, now playing for Al-Nassr, also admitted previously that he agreed a contract with Manchester United but opted for their Merseyside rivals instead.
Mane, now 33, became a legend at Anfield following his £34million move from Southampton in 2016, scoring 120 goals and providing 46 assists during his six-year stint.
He played a crucial role in Jurgen Klopp's successful rebuild, helping the Reds win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
His departure to Bayern Munich for an initial £27m in 2022 was undoubtedly a loss for the English top flight. But the door opened for his return less than 12 months later.
The Senegalese icon’s time in Germany was marred by an injury before the Qatar 2022 World Cup and a reported dressing room fight with team-mate Leroy Sane. It was therefore unsurprising that he was shown the exit door at the end of the season.
Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 1, 2019
Mane cemented his legacy on Merseyside(Image: Getty Images)
It was during that uncertain period that he met Martin Callanan, a Conservative life peer in the House of Lords who is originally from Newcastle. Callahan was attending an EITI International conference in Mane's native Senegal.
He encouraged Mane to join the Magpies, saying in a later tweet: “I’m in Senegal speaking at the EITI conference. Honoured to meet Sadio Mane in the hotel. I couldn’t resist asking him about coming to Newcastle next season. His enigmatic reply: ‘Never say never!’"
It's unclear whether Mane was merely being courteous or if Newcastle were serious contenders to secure his signature, but he didn't end up at St James Park. Instead, he joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, where he's contributed to 62 goals in 93 matches.
While many who have made similar moves to the Middle East have been accused of chasing money, that record suggests Mane's far from just going through the motions. And his response to Callahan implies a Premier League return may not be completely off the cards, unlike most who are spending the twilight years of their career on Saudi shores.
Sadio Mane of Al Nassr celebrates with teammate Otavio
He's still scoring at a reasonable rate in Saudi Arabia
However, considering his age and the fact that there's still a year left on his contract, the likelihood of a move to Tyneside can probably be categorised in the "never" bracket now. While he might still view the switch as desirable, it's hard to imagine the feeling being mutual - though he is being rumoured with an exit from Al-Nassr this summer.
Mane is no stranger to a sudden change in transfer plans. Before joining Liverpool, he was all set to head to Old Trafford until a phone call from Klopp turned his head.
Mane recalled in an interview with the Telegraph: "I was really close to going to Manchester United. 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 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.'"
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The 24-year-old becomes the third most expensive player in the Reds' history after completing a medical
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Sport
Updated 12:08, 28 Jun 2016
Liverpool have completed a deal for Sadio Mane
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Sadio Mane from Southampton after the Senegalese forward completed a medical at Anfield on Monday.
He has signed a contract worth £25million, becoming the biggest signing of Jurgen Klopp's mangerial reign so far.
Mane leaves Southampton after agreeing a five year, £100,000-a-week deal, when the Anfield club agreed a £30million fee for the player who was targeted by Manchester United in January.
“Today is a big day and I am very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe," said the attacker.
“It’s a club that has won a lot of trophies and has a big history.
“Now I am looking forward to meeting all the staff and my teammates and starting the season.”
Mane joins the former-Southampton clan at Anfield(Image: Liverpoolfc.com/Twitter)
The forward immediately becomes the third biggest Premier League signing of the summer so far, after Granit Xhaka and Eric Bailly, and he represents a major departure in transfer policy for Klopp.
His previous biggest signing as a manager came when he took the Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Borussia Dortmund for £22m.
Jurgen Klopp has splashed out on a new forward after seeing existing options struggle
But Klopp has been a long term admirer of the Saints forward, and he moved swiftly to secure Mane's signature after losing out in his chase to land the Germany international Mario Gotze.
The 24-year-old was on Merseyside this morning to complete his deal and pose for pictures in the shirt of his new club.
And he spoke of his delight to be joining the Klopp revolution at Anfield, after what was a bitter attempt to leave Southampton in January, when he was briefly axed from the team by then manager Ronald Koeman.
Sadio Mane wears number 29 on LFC Medical
Mane is Klopp's fourth capture of the summer, but there are likely to be more to come, with the manager looking to sign at least two defenders and another midfielder as he strengthens his squad for top four push this season.
READ MORE: How Sadio Mane will fit into Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool: £30m man brings speed and versatility to Reds' attack
The signing fee makes Mane the Reds' third most expensive acquisition behind Christian Benteke (£32.5m) and Andy Carroll (£35m).
He will wear the number 19 shirt at Anfield.
Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the the fourth goal for Southampton and completing his hat-trick
Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the the fourth goal for Southampton and completing his hat-trick
Klopp has finally got his man having failed to sign Mane during his time at Borussia Dortmund.
Mane has 25 goals in his 75 Premier League games so far and joins new Anfield arrivals Joel Matip, Marko Grujic and Loris Karius.
Mane brings raw pace and versatility to the Liverpool squad that includes misfiring striker Christian Benteke and injury prone Daniel Sturridge.
He can be both deployed out wide, behind a striker or off the front as a second forward.