Journalist Fabrizio Romano has dropped a concerning update regarding the future of Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane...
What's the word?
Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider has revealed that the Senegal international's move to Bayern Munich has taken a step closer, with the 30-year-old having agreed personal terms with the Bundesliga outfit: "Sadio Mané has reached full verbal agreement with Bayern on personal terms. Three year contract ready - talks will enter into final stages with Liverpool, new bid set to be submitted.
"LFC are aware of his decision: Mané wants Bayern - and it's really close now."
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This follows reports from the end of last month that revealed the former Southampton man is 'expected' to leave Anfield this summer, having also teased a potential exit while on international duty.
The long-serving forward - who joined the Merseyside club from the Saints back in 2016 in a £34m deal - has just a year remaining on his existing contract, hence the increased uncertainty over his future.
Klopp gutted
While the arrival of Benfica starlet Darwin Nunez has helped to somewhat soften the blow, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be gutted at the prospect of losing one of his key men this summer, with Mane having been instrumental in the club's rise under the German.
Since his switch six years ago, the £63m-rated speedster has gone on to register a staggering 120 goals and a further 40 assists in 269 games in all competitions, notably winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title the following year.
Part of a ruthless and lethal forward line alongside Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah for much of his time at the club, the £200k-per-week machine has at times been overshadowed by the prolific Egyptian, yet his impact has certainly not gone unnoticed, with club legend Jamie Carragher full of praise for the way the winger has "sacrificed" for the team in recent years.
A relentless workhorse in Klopp's remarkable side, the one-time Red Bull Salzburg man enjoyed yet another stellar campaign last time out, scoring 23 goals and providing five assists in all competitions as the Reds came within a whisker of winning an unprecedented quadruple, eventually settling for a domestic cup double after final day heartache and a European showpiece defeat to Real Madrid.
That most recent loss could well have been the 5 foot 9 marksman's last game in a Liverpool shirt, with it looking like his fairytale run at the club is set to come to an end this summer.
That fact will be a bruising one for Klopp, not least due to his star asset's potential destination, with the former Borussia Dortmund coach having routinely tussled with Bayern during his stint in charge in the Bundesliga.
The 55-year-old will not enjoy seeing the Bavarian giants getting one over on him...