Transfer Talk: AFCON king Mane eyes LaLiga move

Newly-crowned Africa Cup of Nations winner Sadio Mane is considering leaving Liverpool, according to reports.

The Senegalese star, 29, has 18 months remaining on his contract at Anfield and is deliberating a move to LaLiga.

Goal claim Mane has told his agent that should Barcelona or Real Madrid show interest this summer, his desire is to fulfil a childhood dream and spend the final years of his sparkling career in Spain.

The flying forward has won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup with the Reds since making the switch to Merseyside from Southampton in 2016.

Liverpool’s No10 added an Africa Cup of Nations title to his list of accolades at the weekend, scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout victory against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Sunday’s final.

But while away in Cameroon, Jurgen Klopp’s side added winger Luis Diaz to their ranks from Porto and with Diogo Jota also stepping up, it is thought Mane may now be interested in starting a new chapter in his career.

A move to LaLiga, following in the footsteps of fellow African legends Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure, is thought to be the most likely destination.

Mane will miss Liverpool's clash with Leicester on Thursday before hopefully returning to club action in Sunday's trip to Burnley.

In other news

Manchester United intend to make an approach for Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans this summer.

The Red Devils are in desperate need of engine room reinforcements with Paul Pogba set to leave the club when the transfer market re-opens.

Alternative targets Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are likely to come at a premium cost, whereas Tielemans’ expected fee of around £40million is thought to be a more realistic proposition.

The Star say the two clubs hold a good relationship following Harry Maguire’s switch to Old Trafford in 2019 and the struggling Foxes are prepared to offload their Belgian playmaker before his contract expires in 2023.

Tottenham are also in the market for a midfielder — Chilean media report Antonio Conte is keen to recruit his former charge Arturo Vidal from Inter Milan.

The Italian coached Vidal at both Juventus and Inter and is ready to steal away the tenacious South American from the San Siro.

Lastly, Football London claim Jose Mourinho will re-start negotiations to bring Granit Xhaka to Roma after a failed bid last month.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles made the loan switch from the Gunners to the Italian capital in January and Mourinho is keen to plunder North London again to bring the Swiss midfielder on board.