Mane's close friend detailed thoughts on Liverpool exit and predicted transfer

Sadio Mane doesn't want to be at Liverpool "forever" and may consider a switch to Spain, claimed his international pal Keita Balde several years ago.

The Reds forward has been heavily linked with the exit door at Anfield and reportedly told his teammates he wanted to leave this summer following their Champions League final loss on Saturday. Mane has been at Liverpool sine 2016 but will see his contract expire next summer.

Much of the talk on Merseyside has surrounded the future of Mohamed Salah, but Mane is also in a precarious position and may be seeking a new challenge. While the forward has been an integral part of the success achieved by Liverpool in recent years, his Senegal colleague expected him to consider pastures new.

Discussing Mane back in 2020, Balde told Spanish outlet AS, per TeamTalk : "It depends on many things. I don't know what his decision is. In a year or two, you may want to change. I don't think he wants to be there forever. He is a smart boy and he knows what is good for him and what he has to do. But in Madrid they are giving out many names.

"The coach [Jurgen Klopp] loves him very much. He has given a lot to Liverpool and Liverpool to him. Something very attractive has to come for him to leave Liverpool. A big team would have to come and promise him many things to think about it. He's a great boy. He deserves the best. He is humble and nobody has given him anything. He deserves to be where he is today."

Keita's prediction may have come to fruition with Mane seemingly weighing up his options. Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with his signature as they consider their summer moves. A fee of £25million has been touted, but it is understood Liverpool would want just over £40million before they sold up.

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Real Madrid could yet enter the fray having previously been linked with the 30-year-old. They missed out on Kylian Mbappe, who had been on their radar all season, and are in the market for a marquee signing. Mane would fit the bill - as would his teammate Salah.

The Senegalese star claimed before the final in Paris that he would be offering an update on his future following the game. However, he has not yet said anything publicly. "This question [about my future] I will answer after Champions League. If I'm staying or not, I'm going to answer after Champions League," Mane said in the lead-up to the contest.