Bayern Munich is now leading the race to sign the Sadio Mane after the Liverpool star expressed his desire to part ways with the Reds. The Senegalese international is said to be ready for a new challenge having spent the last six years at Anfield Stadium. Mane had hinted at announcing on his future after the UEFA Champions League final but he did not appear before the media following the 1-0 loss that Liverpool suffered from Real Madrid. It is now reported that he has informed Liverpool that he will not be signing a contract extension and that Bayern are now the front runners to sign him. Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are about to enter the final years of their contracts and speculations are ripe on whether the trio will be staying with the Reds or moving on to face different challenges. 

Liverpool have a good relationship with Bjorn Bezemer, the representative of Sadio Mane and together they had planned to hold talks over the player's future. Apparently, Bezemer has had a meeting with Bayern's sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic and this has not gone down well at Anfield. Club sources are said to have been disappointed at the timing of such reports coming at a time when the Reds were pursuing glory on multiple fronts amongst them the Champions League and Premier League titles. The Bayern Munich speculations were viewed as unwelcome distractions. 

There has been no formal offer yet from the Bundesliga side for the player but Liverpool insists any fees for Mane will be in excess of €30million. Mane remains a key figure in the team despite the January signing of Porto's Luis Diaz and the Reds would first want a replacement lined up before selling the super striker. The Senegalese international helped his nation achieve continental glory after they triumphed over Egypt in an AFCON final penalty shootouts. The forward has also scored 22 goals across all competitions this season. The news of Mane departing will naturally concern the Liverpool fans as his impact since moving from Southampton in 2016 has been huge. He has played in every position across the forward line and won all major titles with Liverpool since his signing. He has appeared in 268 games for the Reds and scored 120 goals. The Reds have already started planning for a future without Mane and Salah with the capture of Diaz but they will need to make other brilliant signings if they are to fill the hole that is about to be left Mane's exit.