Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane has landed in Germany ahead of his transfer to Bayern Munich from Anfield.
The 30-year-old will be leaving Liverpool after enjoying a trophy-laden six-year spell under Jurgen Klopp, which was due to come to an end upon the expiration of his contract in 2023.
Mane decided that now was the time to advance his career elsewhere, though, and Bayern were considered the only realistic contenders for the Senegal international's signature.
The German champions failed with two bids for Mane before eventually striking a deal with Liverpool, which will see them pay an initial £27.5m which could rise to £35m with add-ons.
Mane has now touched down in Munich after flying in via private jet on Tuesday morning, and the ex-Southampton man is now set to undergo his medical in the next 24 hours.
Sadio Mane has arrived in Germany ahead of his medical with Bayern Munich 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/FQMxQMjP8D
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 21, 2022
Mane is expected to be unveiled as a Bayern Munich player on Wednesday after agreeing terms over a three-year deal at the Allianz Arena, and he leaves Liverpool after making 269 appearances for the club.
The Africa Cup of Nations winner scored 120 goals and provided 48 assists under Klopp, including 23 goals and five assists from 51 matches in all competitions last season.
Mane won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time at Anfield, in addition to becoming continental champion with Senegal earlier this year.
The former Metz and Red Bull Salzburg starlet also took home a share of the 2018-19 Premier League Golden Boot with 22 goals, level with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool have already prepared for Mane's exit with the capture of Darwin Nunez from Benfica, while Fabio Carvalho has also arrived to bolster Klopp's attack.
© Reuters
Mane is not expected to be the only Liverpool attacker heading out of the door ahead of the 2022-23 season, as Divock Origi will officially depart as a free agent at the end of the month.
Origi is expected to seal his move to AC Milan in the near future, and out-of-favour winger Takumi Minamino will likely be allowed to leave should the right offer arrive.
The Japan international is reportedly valued at £17m by Liverpool and is not short of suitors, with Leeds United, Lazio, Monaco and Lyon all credited with an interest in recent weeks.
In terms of incomings, Liverpool's business for the summer could be concluded with the signing of Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen, as Klopp is prepared to wait until 2023 before searching for a new midfielder.
As a result, the Reds have reportedly performed a U-turn on their stance over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is now expected to stay at the club for at least another year.
Ben Knapton
