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Sadio Mane is preparing to leave Liverpool this summer after a report in Spain detailed why a parting of ways for the Senegal hero is on the cards.

The forward, currently enjoying the “most important trophy of his life” after winning the Africa Cup of Nations, joined the Reds in June 2016. Since that £34m transfer from Southampton, Mane has wracked up an impressive 107 goals in 244 appearances for Liverpool.

Part of Liverpool’s famed front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane has played a huge role in Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp.

However, there appears talk that the old guard may soon be making way for new signings. Indeed, with Diogo Jota arriving last season and Luis Diaz most recently, the process already appears underway.

Indeed, in terms of Diaz, the player’s father has now come clean over how the Reds swooped in to beat Tottenham to his signing.

As for Mane, though, he too, like Salah, is out of contract at Anfield in the summer of 2023. While talks for Salah are dominating the news, there does not appear much in the way of progress for Mane.

And now SPOX (via Spanish publication Nacional) claims that Mane wants to become the ‘best African player in the history of football’. In order to achieve that ambition, they state he ‘knows he needs to leave Anfield and win the Champions League with another club’.

Furthermore, they claim Klopp would prefer to retain Mane’s services before Salah due to the former’s workrate. However, due to the Senegal forward’s contract situation and stance, Liverpool ‘will have no choice but to transfer Mane in the next summer market’.

Klopp ‘betrayed’ by Sadio Mane decision

In addition, Nacional claims Klopp feels betrayed by Mane’s decision and will rubberstamp his exit if they can get around €40m (£33.7m) for his services.

Reports earlier on Wednesday said Mane was reportedly on summer shopping lists of both Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Klopp, meanwhile, expects the winger to return on Wednesday. But it remains to be seen if he will be able to get straight back to club action for Thursday’s game between Liverpool and Leicester.

Klopp confirmed at a press conference: “Sadio is not back yet.

“We said it’s such a big thing for Senegal and we didn’t want to stress anywhere there by bringing Sadio back. I think it will be tonight he is back.”

Fowler expects Liverpool to sell star forwards

Anfield striker legend Robbie Fowler, meanwhile, admits he would be far from shocked to see both Mane and Salah leave this summer.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my career as a player and manager, it’s that there is no sentiment in football,” Fowler wrote in the Daily Mirror.

“It’s a ruthless business… which is why there is no ­guarantee Mo Salah and Sadio Mane will get the money many people think they deserve to sign new Liverpool contracts.

“Liverpool have a business model, and they have been pretty strong over the years at sticking to it.

“So Emre Can left on a free, Gini Wijnaldum left on a free. And you can only assume it is because they were asking for things that didn’t fit into that business model.

“Can the owners afford to give two players – or even three, if you ­include Roberto Firmino – exactly what they want and still keep their wage structure? I’m not so sure.

“The pair have been right at the summit of the world game now for some years, and Salah has even taken his form to a different level this season.

“They will feel they deserve to be paid the same as other players at that level – and they’re right.

“In modern terms, the current board now have, in Salah and Mane, a Messi and Ronaldo on their hands. That’s barely an exaggeration. They are up there on that level.

“You could argue it is the coaching and ­management of ­Jurgen Klopp that turned them into world-class players, and I’d agree. I heard Jamie Carragher ­describe Salah as a club legend, and I’d agree with that too.”

READ MORE: Klopp claims ‘outstanding’ Liverpool man has case for being ‘best’ signing of his type

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