Chelsea are reportedly preparing a proposal to sign Bayern Munich’s Senegalese forward, Sadio Mane, according to sources at Football Insider. The Bundesliga leaders have expressed their willingness to part ways with the 31-year-old Liverpool legend, despite his recent return to Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup.
Following a disappointing 2022-23 season, Chelsea is keen to secure Mane as their first summer signing. Manager-elect Mauricio Pochettino, who is rumored to have accepted an offer from the Blues, is also keen to bring the Senegalese international to Stamford Bridge.
It is believed that Mane is eager to make a return to the Premier League, following a mixed first season at Bayern Munich. The player himself is said to be open to the possibility of joining Chelsea, and the club appears to be in pole position to secure his signature. During his current campaign with the Bavarian side, Mane has scored a total of 12 goals in 36 appearances. He joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022 for a reported fee of £35 million, including add-ons.
Chelsea is focusing on signing a center-forward this summer due to their struggle for goals in the 2022-23 season. Unfortunately, their top targets like Napoli’s Victor Osimhen have become unattainable as Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly preparing a massive £133 million offer for the striker.
Chelsea is now targeting Sadio Mane, who is viewed as a more realistic option. Mane is a versatile player who can play as a center-forward or on either flank. He has scored 111 goals in 263 Premier League games for Liverpool and Southampton before moving to Germany. The Senegalese forward is currently under contract with Bayern Munich until June 2025.
Despite failing to qualify for any European competitions this season, Chelsea is still making moves to improve their team. According to reports, the Chelsea dressing room is excited about the prospect of Mauricio Pochettino joining as the new manager for the 2023-24 season. This is following a disappointing campaign for the club.
Chelsea’s recent victory over Bournemouth on 6 May was their first win since 11 March. It is clear that the club is eager to turn its fortunes around and be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Bayern Munich Target Victor Osimhen, Set to Replace Sadio Mane
Bayern Munich is said to be prepared to make a substantial offer of at least €120 million for the highly sought-after Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen. The club views the Nigerian as a superior replacement for Robert Lewandowski compared to Sadio Mane. Osimhen has garnered attention from various prominent European clubs, including Manchester United, due to his impressive scoring records this season.
Bayern Munich is determined to acquire Osimhen and is willing to make a sizeable bid to convince Napoli to part with their prized asset. The club sees Osimhen as the perfect successor to Lewandowski, who left Bayern Munich for Barcelona last summer.
The German champions’ interest in Osimhen has partly stemmed from the disappointment of the failed Sadio Mane trade last year. Mane was brought in from Liverpool as a replacement for Lewandowski, but he has struggled to integrate into the team’s strategies since his return from an injury sustained before the 2022 FIFA World Cup.