Hasan Salihamidzic reveals Bayern Munich had no interest in signing Sadio Mane this summer until his agent talked up the prospect of an Anfield exit during negotiations in the sporting director’s garden over Serge Gnabry’s new contract
- Hasan Salihamidzic reveals the unlikely scenario for Sadio Mane transfer talks
- Bayern Munich had no interest in the move until Mane’s agent discussed a deal
- Salihamidzic was in his garden discussing Serge Gnabry’s contract at the time
- Mane’s £35.1m transfer from Liverpool was confirmed by Bayern on Wednesday
- Gnabry’s deal with the German titans expires at the end of June next year
Hasan Salihamidzic has revealed the unexpected circumstances behind Bayern Munich‘s high-profile pursuit of Senegal forward Sadio Mane.
According to Bild, the Sporting Director was in his garden discussing the contract of Bayern forward Serge Gnabry, who shares the same agency as Mane, before the idea of signing the player was even on the German titans’ radar.
Bayern confirmed the £35.1million deal to sign Mane from Liverpool on Wednesday, with the player putting pen to paper one a three-year deal worth £250,000-a-week at the Allianz Arena.
Hasan Salihamidzic revealed the decision to move for Sadio Mane took place in his garden
Salihamidzic told the German outlet: ‘It was in my garden. Marco Neppe and I sat together with Björn Bezemer and Daniel Delonga, their ROOF agency represents Serge Gnabry. It’s no secret we were in talks because we want to extend with Serge.
‘That was when the name of Sadio Mané was mentioned for the first time, as he’s also represented by Björn.
‘During the talks I thought to myself: ‘Something is possible!’ – As Björn was leaving, I asked him how big the chances really are.
The discussions over a Mane move came up as he shares an agent with Bayern’s Serge Gnabry
Gnabry’s deal runs out in summer of 2023
‘When I heard that Mané rejected all Liverpool’s attempts to extend his contract, I was immediately interested. Two days later, Julian Nagelsmann, Marco and I were on a plane to Liverpool.
‘For me it was immediately clear, if there was really a chance to sign Sadio Mané, I was ready to work on it day and night. Julian was fully behind it from the start.’
In a six year…