Sadio Mane has lifted the lid on how two ex-Liverpool players wanted him to move to the Saudi Pro League – even if he joined the ‘wrong club’.
Mane completed a move from Bayern Munich to Al Nassr, where he will earn £650,000 a week. He signed a contract until 2027 which means he stands to earn around £136m in total if he sees out the deal.
The Senegalese only joined Bayern last summer from Liverpool in a deal worth around £35m and endured a difficult time in Germany.
He scored 12 goals and recorded six assists in 38 games across all competitions as the Bavarians beat Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title on a dramatic final day.
The 31-year-old joins former Liverpool team-mates Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson, along with Reds legends Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler, in the Gulf State.
“I think first of all I spoke with Firmino for sure,” Mane is quoted as saying by The National.
“I think he wanted me to come to the wrong club – I’m joking! He always called two or three times to convince me to come to Al Ahli.
“At the same time I spoke with Fabinho because he was quite close to me and he also wanted me to come to Al Ittihad, but in this time when Al Nassr came, I chose Al Nassr.
“Of course Henderson is here also, and he sent me a message two days ago to wish me good luck and I’m excited to meet all these great guys and also to meet them face to face for the first time. I’m going to win against you guys!
“Since I had the opportunity I spoke to my family, and they were happiest of course because it is a Muslim country. My mum especially encouraged me to go.
“My mum is Muslim like me, she was the first to vote for me to go there and my whole family was excited for me to come here so it was not hard – it is important to my faith. I am pleased to be part of this project and to make it go forward, we have a bright future ahead.”
Mane became Al Nassr’s fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Reuben Neves, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic, and Alex Telles. Mane is delighted to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Senegal international added: “I think you can see how quick everything goes for me, because he is one of the best players in history if not the best of course. “And that was easy for me, he makes it easier for me.
“And (Brazil midfielder) Talisca and the other boys, they are all really great players and I am really excited to start the league with all these boys to make the club a real success.”
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