Cristiano Ronaldo cited in ‘goal machine’ verdict after Liverpool transfer update – pundit
Alex McLeish has suggested Sadio Mane may want to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo by quitting Liverpool and testing himself in a new country.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, heralded the 30-year-old as a “goal machine” and insisted he could thrive whichever club he joins.
The Athletic (1 June) claim Mane is keen to move this summer, with his contract expiring next year, in order to take on a new challenge.
Liverpool are reportedly demanding £42.5million for his sale, with Bayern Munich the frontrunners for his capture.
McLeish admitted the Senegal star would be a big loss for the Reds after his “amazing” displays in attack.
He suggested Mane is seeking out “one big hurrah” as he heads into his 30s.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He’s been absolutely firecracker for Liverpool and Senegal. He has just been amazing coming from wide areas, playing centre-forward and through the middle.
“Mane’s been a goal machine, one that’s very, very elusive for defenders. They must have hated playing against him and feared him before the game. He has been absolutely brilliant.
“I know there’s talk about Bayern Munich. They’re losing Lewandowski, it seems. It’s probably down to a player’s individual choice in terms. It’s not so much money, it’s more: ‘I want to try something different.’
“He’s 30 now, he’ll maybe be looking for one big hurrah. You think of Ronaldo, all the countries he’s gone to and he’s been a success in all of them. A lot of players would have that kind of ambition. You’d fancy Mane to overcome any division that he is in.”
Mane scored 23 goals in 51 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign.
He has netted 120 times in 269 games for Liverpool across all competitions.
In other news, a finance guru has issued an ‘exclusive’ Liverpool claim amid £1.2billion talks.