Sadio Mane Replacements: Four (4) Wingers That Could Possibly Replace The Senegalese International.

Sadio Mane is ready to leave Liverpool to embark on a new challenge heading into the 2022/23 season.

Mane has only a year left on his Liverpool contract and is looking for a fresh challenge, but who will the Reds replace him with?



Mane has played a pivotal role in Jürgen Klopp's squad in the last half a dozen years, with the Reds going from top-four hopefuls to regular title contenders during this period. In doing so, the 30-year-old has established himself as one of the best players in Europe, and also a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or award.


The Senegalese international enjoyed an excellent 2021/22 campaign, amassing 23 goals and five assists in 51 appearances for Liverpool. 

Mane also won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal earlier this year, while also qualifying his team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.


READ MORE: Sadio Mane Hopes To Become First African Player To Win The Ballon d’Or Since George Weah 27 years ago.


Liverpool will reportedly demand around €50 million to part with Mane in the summer transfer window, and it is unclear if any club will be ready to pay such a sum to secure his services. But Mane’s eagerness to embark on a new challenge will give suitors the upper hand in the race to sign him.


Mane has been a subject of interest from Bayern Munich who are ready to offer him a three-year deal, and now Real Madrid are considering signing him having failed to secure Kylian Mbappe from PSG.


Manager Jurgen Klopp was asked about Mane transfer rumours at his pre-match press conference in Paris and his answer was non-committal.

"Wherever Sadio will play next year, he will be a big player," said the Reds boss.


Of course, Klopp has already brought in Luis Diaz, but with the contracts of Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah expiring next summer, replacements are required.

The big question is what type of forward Liverpool require, especially now that Divock Origi has also left. They appear to be lacking a player who can play centrally and share the load with Firmino, who has been plagued by fitness issues.


READ MORE: Sergio Aguero Names Favorite Player To Win The Ballon d'Or, And Believes Madrid Will Defeat Liverpool In UCL Final.


1. Benfica's Darwin Nunez

After his goal-scoring exploits with Benfica this season, the Uruguayan is expected to be one of the big names in the summer transfer market.


Nunez scored 26 goals in 28 league games and added six more in the Champions League, including one in each of the two leg against Liverpool.


He'll be 23 in June, and although being primarily a center striker, he's also played outside and, more importantly for Liverpool's requirements, in behind.


With a contract that runs until 2025 and Manchester United also keen, Benfica will demand about double the £45 million that West Ham came close to paying in January.


2. RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku

After a brilliant season in the Bundesliga that saw him become one of the summer's hottest prospects, the young French forward is just up Liverpool's statistics alley.


Nkunku was ridiculous this season, scoring 20 goals and assisting 15 times in 34 Bundesliga games. He was a threat from all angles.


In the Champions League, he scored seven goals and added two assists, including a hat-trick against Man City, before adding four more in the Europa League.


With his versatility to play everywhere across a front three and both score and supply goals, he's right in the sweet spot for Jurgen Klopp, still only 24 and with two years left on his contract.


The fee is expected to be around £60 million, but it would make a major statement for the Reds and may also future-proof them if Salah follows Mane out the door next summer.


3. West Ham United's Jarrod Bowen

Jarrod Bowen has previously been connected with Liverpool, but with another strong season under his belt and an England call-up, the Reds will have to pay a lot more to get him now if they are still keen.


He's still young enough for the Liverpool transfer committee to justify a high fee, and he's demonstrated he can score and set up goals in the Premier League with 12 goals and 10 assists.


Bowen can play in front of the three, and he has also performed well in the Europa League this season, so he appears to be a nice fit, and Klopp might get a lot more out of him if a deal can be struck.


West Ham, on the other hand, will not sell him cheaply.


4. Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry

Serge Gnabry is an intriguing option who might appeal to Liverpool's more frugal side, especially if he can be acquired as part of a deal that sends Mane to Bayern Munich.


Klopp will be familiar with his fellow German, who turns 27 in July, and Gnabry's contract expires in a year, so it wouldn't be too expensive.


Gnabry scored 14 goals and added six assists in the league this season, and he's played all across the front three despite his preference for wide right.


Gnabry has also excelled when lined up deeper in midfield and behind a striker, scoring seven goals from 11 attempts.


He can break down packed defenses with his thrusting burst from deeper, which is a must for Liverpool, and the Reds have been apparently interested since they learned of Mane's plans to leave.


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