Liverpool news: Expert ‘optimistic’ about contract news after ‘special’ Sadio Mane reveal – ‘it’s perfect’
Noel Whelan has claimed he is “optimistic” about Sadio Mane pledging his future to Liverpool after comments about his future emerged.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he has had doubts about Mane continuing at Anfield after the signings of Luis Diaz and Fabio Carvalho.
As quoted by the BBC (27 May), the 30-year-old revealed he will give a “special” answer about his future following the conclusion of Saturday’s (28 May) Champions League final against Real Madrid.
“I will give you the best answer you want to hear, for sure,” the former Southampton man said.
Mane is out of contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Whelan insisted the “perfect scenario” remains tying the Senegal star and Mohamed Salah down to renewed terms at Anfield.
He told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge: “It’s sounding pretty optimistic, isn’t it?
“If you can keep him and Salah and tie them down to new contracts, that would be the perfect scenario.
“You did wonder in the back of your mind, with Diaz and Carvalho coming in. Would one of them be moving on this summer? Are these players the replacements?
“If the pair of them stay, you’ve got a packed attack capable of pushing Man City all the way next season.”
Mane has netted 23 goals in 50 games this season.
He remains a key component of the Liverpool attack despite the high-profile January arrival of Diaz.
An Anfield source told Football Insider last week (21 May) that the club’s hierarchy want to keep Mane – but they will not offer him a “huge” pay rise.
In other news, pundit cites Paul Pogba in new Liverpool claim after player reveal.