So this is the 2nd RWF that Liverpool snaps up right under the nose of another club. Wonder if they purposely do: i.e., wait until the player has been presented the contract and then call and announce their interest ...
Sadio Mane had 'agreed' terms with Manchester United and received a contract from the club before pulling out of the deal after speaking with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
www.dailymail.co.uk
'I had the contract at Man United, it was all agreed. Then Klopp called': Sadio Mane reveals how he turned down Old Trafford for Liverpool when his now-boss rang to interrupt while he was watching an action movie
- Sadio Mane has revealed he was on the brink of joining Man United in 2016
- The former Southampton star had agreed terms and received his contract
- However, Jurgen Klopp helped convince him Liverpool was the right destination
- Mane is preparing for Liverpool's Champions League final against Real Madrid
- After the game, he will announce his plans and whether he will stay at the club
By
CHARLOTTE DALY FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 10:05 BST, 27 May 2022 | UPDATED: 12:36 BST, 27 May 2022
Sadio Mane has revealed he came 'really close' to signing for
Manchester United before he joined their bitter rivals
Liverpool in 2016.
Mane had agreed terms with the Red Devils and received a contract from the club before pulling out of the deal after speaking with Liverpool boss
Jurgen Klopp.
The Senegal international said Klopp helped convince him the Merseyside club was the best destination for him as he looked to make a step up from Southampton.
Speaking to Jamie Carragher for
The Telegraph, Mane said: 'I have to say, 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
'I was watching TV. It was an action movie - because I love movies - and he said, "Sadio, listen, I want to explain to you what happened at Dortmund".
'That was when he thought of signing me for Dortmund and for some reason it didn't work out. He tried to explain and I said, "it's okay, it happened". I forgave him.
'Then he said, "now I want you at Liverpool". And I said, "Okay, Dortmund is behind us, let's focus on the future".
'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 Coutinho is on the left!" So I said, never mind, I will play on the right. I could see myself in all the positions.'
Mane became the club's third-most-expensive signing, behind Andy Carroll and Christian Benteke, when he joined Liverpool for £34million in 2016.
At the time of Mane's signing, Klopp said: 'I have followed Sadio for a lot of years since his impressive performances in the Olympics in 2012, and then watched his development in Austria and in his time at Southampton.
'Since I came here I have spoken to the staff a lot about him and have always felt he could be a very good signing for us. He has a lot of quality, works hard and has a very good goal scoring record.
'When I spoke to him I could tell that he was passionate about joining the club and playing for our fantastic fans. I think they will be just as excited about seeing him put on a Liverpool shirt as I am.'
Klopp is now hoping the Senegal international will extend his deal as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract at Liverpool.
However, Mane has so far refused to commit and says he will speak more about his plans after Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris.
Speaking ahead of the game, he said: 'For sure it will be special to win it, and make it seven (European Cup wins for the club). And this question (my future) I will answer after the Champions League. Stay or not - I'll answer after the Champions League.'
Mane has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga giants are said to willing to pay £25m to to sign him this summer.