Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has a strong interest in signing Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
Liverpool know that players like Sadio Mane will attract attention from their European rivals, but Real Madrid will not be making an attempt to sign the Senegal international this summer. Mane has established himself as one of the world’s most lethal attackers in football through his time at Anfield.
Signed for just £30million, Mane would almost certainly command a fee well in excess of £100million.
Liverpool have no interest in selling with Jurgen Klopp keen to keep the core of his group who have just become Premier League champions.
But that won’t stop clubs from trying to prise Liverpool’s best players away from Anfield.
Both Mohamed Salah and Mane have attracted plenty of interest, with Real Madrid touted as potential destinations.
Zinedine Zidane is keen to sign another forward at the Bernabeu and Erling Haaland has been linked with a possible move despite recently signing for Borussia Dortmund.
But the Daily Mail claim Zidane prefers a move to sign Mane to form a deadly partnership with Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema.
However, the report goes on to claim Real president Florentino Perez has told Zidane to forget about making any big-money signings this summer.
Instead, Zidane is being asked to help develop Vinicius Junior as opposed to chasing Mane’s signature.
It is also said that Real’s enforced wage cuts due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic are also a reason for not pursuing Mane in the summer transfer window.
Los Blancos have a number of key players they need to sign up to new deals, including club captain Sergio Ramos.
Ramos is still waiting for a new deal to be offered to him and it is suggested signing Mane could prove problematic in the dressing room.
The Spain international has just a year left on his contract with Real, although it is believed that he will eventually agree terms on a new deal.
Real’s decision though will come as a huge boost for Klopp in his hopes of helping Liverpool defend their title next season.
Salah has also seemingly committed his long-term future to Liverpool, stating his desire to stay at the club for a “long time”.
“I’m very happy. I enjoy the atmosphere here,” he told BeIN Sports.
“I love this place and I hope to stay for a long time.
“The atmosphere here is different to any other place.”
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