KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool is cooking up a deal with PSG for Sadio Mane and Kylian Mbappe
  • Jurgen Klopp prefers to keep Sadio Mane
  • Kylian Mbappe may fit in well under Klopp

Liverpool is weighing its options with Sadio Mane possibly leaving the team this summer. The 28-year-old player is a key player in the rotation of Jurgen Klopp, but it appears efforts to renew his deal have fallen short. Now, Liverpool is worried that the Senegalese football player may leave the team this summer.

Mane has played well under Klopp since arriving in 2016. The Reds acquired him after agreeing to a $42 million deal with Southampton. And he has proven to be a worthy addition, scoring 77 goals in 161 appearances. Aside from that, he was instrumental in helping the club win the Champions League last season. His current deal does not run out until 2023 but Mane has been offered a revised deal that would be worth $274,000 a week, The Sun's Ken Lawrence reported.

With Mane seemingly cold on possibly getting a new deal, Klopp wants to get an answer on whether the Senegalese is committed to staying or has plans to move out. At least two teams are reportedly interested in getting him. These are Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Aware of that, it appears Liverpool is now mapping out a way to make sure they do not end up empty-handed.

The Reds are allegedly trying to work out a way to strike a deal with PSG that would involve Kylian Mbappe. It would be a blockbuster move if it materializes. However, that would also depend if The Parisians would be interested in sacrificing Mbappe to get their hands on Mane.

It is worth noting that the deal involving Mbappe and Mane is not at the top of the list for Klopp. He still prefers to keep Mane in the fold. But until he gets a definite answer, The Reds need to be ready and Mbappe is someone they would want to have.

Sadio Mane scored the winner for Liverpool against Norwich
Klopp has backed Mane, saying the Senegal national is not a diver. AFP / Oli SCARFF

Ironically, Liverpool’s interest in Mbappe is nothing new. Back in April, it was mentioned how two teams were interested in luring away the 21-year-old forward from PSG. Aside from The Reds, Real Madrid has also been linked to Mbappe. It was almost a done deal until the COVID-19 pandemic entered the picture. All has been quiet since then but anything can happen, especially in the summer. Also worth factoring in is the fact that there is no telling if the financial problems plaguing clubs now will alter their player acquisition plans.