Sadio Mane has openly expressed his true feelings as he gets closer to finalizing his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
During his time with Bayern Munich, the former Liverpool forward managed 12 goals in 38 appearances, but only one of those goals came after he suffered a leg injury in November, which also ruled him out of the World Cup.
Despite having two years left on his contract with Bayern, both Mane and the Bundesliga champions have mutually agreed to part ways after a disappointing and injury-ridden first season together.
Now, the 31-year-old has completed successful medical examinations and is on the brink of joining Cristiano Ronaldo at the Riyadh-based club, Al-Nassr.
“Leaving Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending,” he told Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg as quoted by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.
“I know that I could have helped the team this season. Nevertheless, I only wish the club and the fans the best for the future.”
Upon joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, Mane’s earnings will reach an astonishing £650,000 per week, resulting in an annual salary of £34 million, per 90 Min.
He is set to become the club’s fourth major signing this summer after completing deals for Marcelo Brozovic, Alex Telles and Seko Fofana.
Kimmich reveals Why Mane failed
Joshua Kimmich has revealed that Sadio Mane’s struggles in his first and only season in the Bundesliga were not the Senegal forward’s fault, Sports Brief reported.
Mane has been heavily criticised in the media after he failed to have the impact he had at Liverpool with the Bundesliga giants after his highly publicised transfer from the Reds last summer.
Kimmich has now come to Mane’s defence, insisting the Senegal forward had to battle too many obstacles, which must have contributed to his low impact at Bayern.
Bayern accept Al-Nassr bid for Mane
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Sadio Mane is just a medical away from joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr after Bayern Munich accepted a verbal proposal for the Senegalese forward.
Al Nassr has been in intense negotiations with the Bundesliga champions for Mane, who struggled to adapt to the Bundesliga after his switch from Liverpool last summer.