Liverpool are set to target the ‘next Sadio Mane’ as a result of a special request from Jurgen Klopp to the Reds hierarchy.
The Reds are genuinely missing the Senegalese international, who departed for Bayern Munich in the summer for an initial £27m.
He scored 120 goals in 269 games, and won every major trophy available to him in his six years of service.
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His absence is being felt, with Liverpool slumbering in ninth position and his replacement, Darwin Nunez, not hitting the heights expected as of yet. Jermaine Jenas called Mane leaving ‘the worst mistake Liverpool have ever made’.
However, Nunez’s signature isn’t the only one Klopp and his staff want to fill Mane’s void.
According to Nacional, the Reds want to bring in highly-rated Rennes star Kamaldeen Sulemana.
A player more akin to Mane’s profile, Sulemana is explosive and can play either side of the forward line.
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He has six goals in 37 matches for the French side, including one so far this season, after arriving from FC Nordsjaelland in 2021 for a rumoured fee of £17.5m.
It is thought by the Spanish publication that the Liverpool manager has made a special request for the 20-year-old’s services, with a bid of around £30.5m expected to be launched in January.
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The attack is an area in transition for Liverpool with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez arriving in last calendar year. Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah signed new long-term deals in the summer, with top-scorer Roberto Firmino the only player yet to confirm his future at Anfield.
He was linked with Reds in the past before his Rennes move last year, but he explained that a move to France would benefit his career more long-term.
“With Rennes, I get to play in Ligue 1 which is one of the best leagues in the whole world, so that’s enough of my reason.
“And I think I chose here based on my playing time. I think there’s a better chance of me playing more here than any other place, and I’ll play against great teams here as well.”
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A signature of Sulemana’s potential would be a real coup for Klopp, and they will likely battle Barcelona and Real Madrid for it.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Sadio Mane, Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours