Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane refused to rule out a move to Newcastle as he continues to be linked with a Premier League return.
The Senegalese forward only joined Bayern Munich last summer as he brought a hugely successful stint at Anfield to an end. Bayern paid £35m for Mane’s services with the 31-year-old putting pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Allianz Arena.
Despite a dream start in which he scored 11 goals in all competitions, his move slowly turned into a nightmare. He scored just one goal in the second-half of the campaign, whilst he was also suspended for a training ground bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane.
That has seen Mane linked with a quickfire return to the Premier League, with only English clubs expected to stump-up the sort of wages that he would be demanding. Liverpool have invariably been linked with an emotional reunion, whilst Newcastle have been credited with interest as Eddie Howe aims to prepare his squad for their upcoming Champions League campaign.
It appears that Mane is not fully against the idea. That is according to former British MEP Martin Callahan, who has met the Bayern star at an EITI International conference in Senegal.
Taking to Twitter with a picture of the pair together, he wrote: “I’m in Senegal speaking at the EITI conference. Honoured to meet Sadio Mane in the hotel. I couldn’t resist asking him about coming to Newcastle next season. His enigmatic reply: ‘Never say never!’”
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Mane enjoyed plenty of success during his first stint in the Premier League. He scored 25 goals in 75 games for Southampton after joining from RB Salzburg.
That form convinced Liverpool to splash out on him with Mane playing a key role in the side under Jurgen Klopp. He won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and more during a trophy-laden spell on Merseyside.
He added to that this term as Bayern edged past fierce rivals on the final day of the season to win yet another Bundesliga crown. Intriguingly, his Senegal teammate Saliou Cisse has predicted Mane to rediscover his form in Bavaria next term.
Speaking to Canal+, he said: "Sadio has just joined a new league, a new environment. His injury didn't help.
“By next season, he will be able to overcome all the problems and poor performances. We will see a new Sadio Mané [next season].”
Ex-Liverpool star Jose Enrique has suggested that he would be an ideal signing for Newcastle this summer. “For me, it could be many options, but a number eight is what we [Liverpool] need the most,” he told his YouTube channel.
“Obviously, Jude Bellingham is not available anymore. It would be Frenkie De Jong and, for Newcastle, it would be Mane.”
