Sadio Mane 'set to join' Saudi Pro League after last year's private chat with Cristiano Ronaldo

Sadio Mane is in talks to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr from Bayern Munich, it has been claimed.

According to the Athletic, Mane is in talks over a move to Al Nassr, with his representatives having met with the club's sporting director Goran Vucevic at the Pine Cliffs hotel in Portugal to discuss the potential switch.

Mane is currently with Bayern in Portugal as the Bundesliga giants prepare for the upcoming campaign.

The 31-year-old only joined the Bavarian club from Liverpool last summer in a £35million deal, and his current deal runs until 2025.

Al Nassr, who have Ronaldo in their ranks, have already signed Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan and Seko Fofana from Lens this summer. Meanwhile they are on the cusp of completing a deal for Manchester United full-back Alex Telles.

Mane has struggled in his short time at Bayern, netting only seven goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances. He was also forced to miss the World Cup and several Bayern games due to a leg injury sustained in November.

The attacker's most notable moment while in Germany was an altercation with team-mate Leroy Sane in April, which saw Mane suspended and fined by Bayern.

Mane and Ronaldo conversation

Mane and Ronaldo have a pre-existing relationship, with the former having admitted that Ronaldo backed the Senegal international's decision to leave Liverpool and sign for Bayern last summer.

At the time, the pair crossed paths while on holiday in Spain, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner assuring Mane the move would be a good fit.

"I met Cristiano Ronaldo in Mallorca before this season after my move was completed," Mane revealed in an interview with German newspaper Bild. "He congratulated me and told me, 'A great club! This is a great step for you!'"

And it looks like Mane could be securing another move this summer. When asked about the player's future ahead of the pre-season, Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel told SPORT1 via the Athletic: “(Mane) fell short of expectations. The competitive situation is extremely high, the starting position is not easy for him. The player knows that too, he knows my opinion and the opinion of the club.”