Bayern Munich have sent a delegation to England to thrash out a deal for Sadio Mane.
And that will finally pave the way for the Senegal star to get his wish and leave Liverpool to join the German giants.
We understand that Hasan Salihamidžić, Bayern’s Sporting Director, leads the team which arrives in the north west this morning, and will enter talks with his counterpart at Anfield Julian Ward.
Mane made clear after the Champions League final he wanted to leave the Reds, after discussions over a new contract broke down, as the club insisted they would not break their wage structure.
Bayern pursued the player towards the end of the campaign, and made two formal bids for Mane – who has a year remaining on his Liverpool contract – with both rejected out of hand.
Liverpool even went as far as to pour scorn on the second bid, which, they revealed, contained clauses which were essentially unachievable – including payments if the player won a hat trick of Ballon d’Ors.
That offer essentially amounted to £25m, and the Anfield board made clear they would not come to the negotiating table unless Bayern were serious about meeting their valuation of around £42.5m.
Now, it is understood the German club are ready to enter into talks at that level – though so far, no formal third offer has been issued.
