The Bayern XI to conquer Europe again thanks to Man United and Liverpool

The Bavarian giants were thrilled to land the AFCON-winning captain from Liverpool for a snip at £35million, with him seen as the de facto replacement for the wantaway Robert Lewandowski.

There was, though, some surprise at Mane's desire to move to Munich, given that Bayern have had little-to-no competition in the league for the past decade of title wins.

However, it may soon become obvious why the Senegalese opted for the move, with Bayern's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic crafting a team worthy of winning the Champions League.

It appeared last season that Liverpool and Manchester City were the cream of Europe, but as Real Madrid proved, they're both beatable, and Bayern could well soon do the same.

The six-time European Cup winners appear to be an attractive landing spot, with highly sought-after Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt reportedly favouring a move to Bavaria over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Dutchman isn't the only one keen on Munich though, with Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes seeing it as a potential place for his client.

Ronaldo's desire to leave Manchester United appears to be down to a lack of Champions League football and ambition, with Bayern understandably an ideal destination.

It's reported that Mendes will again push to send his client there, which could be made possible by a number of departures.

Portugal teammate Jose Fonte told talkSPORT it's certainly a possiblity.

He said: "Bayern Munich would be interesting as well - because he can win trophies and be competitive in the Champions League."

And legendary Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaus has told his former club it's a deal worth mulling over at the very least.

"Ronaldo to Bayern would be sexy!' Matthaus told Sky Germany. "At least you should think through the options and play through them once.

"If Bayern are of the opinion that Cristiano Ronaldo is still physically able to really help for a year or two and that they can invest the transfer fee generated for Robert Lewandowski more or less like-for-like in the Portuguese megastar, I would think about it."

But CEO Oliver Kahn has insisted a deal is unlikely as it doesn't fit the club's philosophy.

Still, it's been estimated that Bayern could raise upwards of £110m in funds from the sales of Lewandowski, Marcel Sabitzer, Omar Richards, Serge Gnabry, Benjamin Pavard and Bouna Sarr.

Not only would that clear up wages for a Ronaldo signing, but also funds for a potential deal for Joao Felix, with the Portuguese star looking for a way out of Atletico Madrid.

There will also be an upgrade in midfield with Leipzig star Konrad Laimer agreeing personal terms with a reputation as one of the league's most consistent performers over the past five years.

Particularly important though, is that Bayern already have signed two stars, by taking Ajax pair Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui to freshen up their side with youth and energy, beating away rivals for little money.

Joshua Kimmich will remain a regular starter for the Bundesliga behemoths but for this team we've opted to showcase the new signings.

Director Salihamidzic and manager Julian Nagelsmann endured a tough first season together last time out, flattering to deceive with an injury hit and out-of-sorts Borussia Dortmund ensuring the title was a cake-walk.

That was highlighted when they were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by an unfancied Villarreal side, ensuring an underwhelming campaign despite another league title.

This season those bad memories could long be a distant memory though, with the likes of Man City, Liverpool and Real Madrid getting nervous about a revitalised German giant.

How Bayern Munich could look this season