31 July 2023 , 20:59
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Sadio Mane has revealed that leaving Bayern Munich "hurts" him as the former Liverpool forward closes in on a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Mane, 31, is set to join Al-Nassr after one year at Bayern following his switch from Liverpool last summer. The Senegal international has arrived in Dubai to undergo the first part of his medical ahead of completing a deal worth around £34million - more than what the German side paid Jurgen Klopp's Reds 12 months ago.
He is set to sign a four-year contract with the Saudi Arabian side and will team up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo Brozovic at Al-Nassr. However, Mane has regrets about his time at Bayern and admitted he was hoping to have a bigger impact at the Allianz Arena.
Mane told Sky Sports: "Leaving FC Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending. I know that I could have helped the team this season. I wanted to prove it to everyone this season. Nevertheless, I only wish the club and the fans the best for the future."
The ex-Southampton star scored 12 goals in his first Bayern season as they struggled in Europe and only clinched the Bundesliga title on the final day of the campaign. The forward's season was marred by a clash with team-mate Leroy Sane which earned him a fine and an internal ban, though he insists he has put the matter behind him.
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"This kind of things can happen. It happened," Mane said of the Sane clash. "We were able to solve this small problem. Sometimes it's good to solve problems, but maybe not in this way. It's behind us now. We'll try to fight together to help the club achieve its goals next season."
Sadio Mane has opened up on his time at Bayern Munich (Getty Images)As for Bayern, they hope to replace Mane and sign Harry Kane from Tottenham before the end of the window. Bayern have undergone more talks with Spurs over a deal for the 30-year-old frontman, although it is understood the two clubs are £25m apart in valuation.
Tottenham want £100m for their record scorer after he netted 30 Premier League goals last season. While Bayern are aiming to seal a deal for Kane, it is also revealed that they face considerable competition. It is suggested that PSG are edging towards an agreement for the striker and would be willing to outbid any club in Europe for him.
Kane is not thought to be interested in a move to the French capital but regardless, it appears that his future could lie away from Tottenham. Club owner Joe Lewis has already issued an ultimatum to Levy to either sell the academy graduate this summer or commit him to a new deal, rather than risk losing him for free next summer.