August 2 – Another day, another high-profile footballing export to Saudi Arabia. Sadio Mane has become the latest big name to quit European football for the Saudi Pro League after agreeing to join Al-Nassr from Bayern Munich and team up with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bayern, who are trying to sign England captain Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur, confirmed Mane’s departure on Tuesday with media reports suggesting the deal was worth around $43 million.
The Senegalese striker, once touted as among the best in the world when with Liverpool, leaves Bayern after a single season in which he struggled for goals, was ruled out of the World Cup with injury, and was briefly suspended by the club.
“We want to thank Sadio Mané for the past season. It certainly wasn’t an easy year for him,” said Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen.
“Because of his long (injury) lay-off, he also couldn’t have the impact at FC Bayern that we all and he himself had hoped for. That’s why we came to the joint decision that he’ll begin a new chapter in his career and make a new start at a different club. We wish him all the best and lots of success for the challenges ahead at Al Nassr.”
Mané, 31, had two years left on his contract with Bayern after joining last year from Liverpool, where he won the Premier League and Champions League.
Besides Ronaldo, his new Al-Nassr teammates include former Manchester United defender Alex Telles, midfielder Marcelo Brozović, who captained runner-up Inter Milan in this year’s Champions League final, and the Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734912130labto1734912130ofdlr1734912130owedi1734912130sni@w1734912130ahsra1734912130w.wer1734912130dna1734912130
