Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, Al Nassr, Sadio Mane, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Bayern Munich
Chris Byfield
Topics: Football, Al Nassr, Sadio Mane, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Bayern Munich
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has left Bayern Munich to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
The 31-year-old endured an underwhelming campaign at Bayern last term, netting just 12 goals in 38 games.
Indeed, his most memorable moment in Bavaria was a physical altercation with Leroy Sane in the Manchester City dressing room after losing a Champions League game.
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Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said the former forward - who has signed a four-year deal with Al-Nassr - had not had an "easy year" since moving from Anfield.
"He was not able to contribute as much as we all and he himself had hoped," said Dreesen.
It has been widely reported that Bayern have recouped much of the £35million they paid Liverpool for Mane last summer.
Meanwhile, Mane becomes the latest talent from Europe’s top five leagues to make the switch to Saudi Arabia, where he is allegedly set to pocket a staggering £34million-a-year (£650,000-a-week).
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And Al Nassr announced the Senegal star’s arrival with a bizarre video that featured the tune to a new chant for the attacker.
As seen in the above club, the song goes: “Sadio. MANE. Running down the wing. MANE. Hear Nassrawis sing. MANE. We're all bouncing in Riyadh!”
Mane is also featured in the clip, dancing along to the song before barrelling the camera, and saying: 'Can't wait to hear from you in the stadium, see you here!'
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Al Nassr also have five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo in their ranks, while this summer they signed Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, Brazil full-back Alex Telles and Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel said he and Mane agreed “it was the best solution to untie the know”
"We had a long, big hug and we both agreed we don't like what's happening now, but we think it's for the best in this situation," said Tuchel.
"Sometimes things don't work out as everybody wants. I have always had a very good relationship with him and this will stay.
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"I can totally understand he feels hurt and I also wouldn't feel happy if things like this happened.
"Obviously it's something that we didn't bring into the full potential, which is my responsibility, but in this particular situation it was the best solution to untie the knot."