By Mike Parrott
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has identified a former player of his to replace Lionel Messi. The Argentine handed in a formal transfer request on August 25th with Manchester City being the favourites to sign him.
The long-awaited Barcelona rebuild might finally be coming.
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With Lionel Messi asking to leave the Catalan-based club after handing in a transfer request earlier this week, new manager Ronald Koeman might have one of the hardest jobs in football history.
Koeman already has a familiar face at the club in Frenkie De Jong who he has coached while being the national team manager of the Netherlands. But there are reports of Koeman wanting another familiar face at Barcelona.
With Barcelona set to make a lot of money off the eventual sale of Messi, which could be as high as his £631 million release clause, Koeman wants to spend some of that money.
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On the top of Koeman's list is Sadio Mane, the Liverpool winger who he coached when they were both at Southampton prior.
According to SPORT, Barcelona are willing to spend €120 million on Mane to take him from the current Premier League champions.
With Mane playing across the front three for Koeman at their time together at Southampton, the Dutch manager will be envisioning Mane linking up with Antoine Griezmann and one of Ansu Fati or Ousmane Dembele as their three forwards.
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What do you think of Ronald Koeman and Sadio Mane teaming up again?
Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Liverpool, Football News, UEFA Champions League, Football, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Premier League, Ronald Koeman, La Liga
