Sadio Mane says move to Bayern Munich materialising 'at the right time'

Liverpool star close to finalising deal with Bundesliga champions

Liverpool have agreed to sell Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich for a deal worth £35.1million. PA

Senegal forward Sadio Mane said his imminent move to Bayern Munich from Liverpool is the right decision at the right time because the German champions have the best plan for him.

Liverpool reached an agreement with Bayern Munich for the sale of Mane for a reported fee of £35.1 million ($42.7m), according to reports.

Following the transfer of Darwin Nunez from Benfica, the Reds have sanctioned Mane's sale to the Bundesliga champions after the forward expressed his desire to leave Anfield following the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

Mane landed in Munich on Tuesday for a medical check-up and was seen sporting a Bayern shirt as he left the clinic. The club is expected to officially announce the deal later on Wednesday.

"My life has always been a challenge. When my adviser informed me of Bayern's interest for the first time I was all flame and fire," he told Bild newspaper.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates with teammates on an open-top bus parade through the streets of Liverpool to celebrate winning the 2021-22 League Cup and FA Cup. Bayern Munich had a second bid of £30 million for the Senegalese striker rejected by the Anfield club on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. AFP

Liverpool's Sadio Mane after his side's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in May, 2022. Reuters

Liverpool's Sadio Mane is put under pressure by Real Madrid's Luka Modric in the Champions League final in May. EPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp consoles Sadio Mane after losing the Champions League final at the Stade de France, Paris. PA

Sadio Mane of Liverpool is challenged by Casemiro of Real Madrid during the Champions League final in May. Getty

Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane shoots during the Champions League final against Real Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric fights for the ball with Liverpool's Sadio Mane in the Champions League final. AFP

Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos battles with Liverpool striker Sadio Mane in the Champions League final. AFP

"I could instantly see me there. For me it was the right club at the right time. It is one of the world's biggest club who always battles for all titles.

"For me the feeling was right when Bayern presented their plan. I saw myself in Bayern's plan more than in any other."

Bayern are desperate for his versatile attacking spark, with wingers Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane having lacked consistency in the last season.

The Bavarians still won the German league for a 10th straight time but failed to get past the quarter-final stage in the Champions League.

Mane scored 120 goals in 269 appearances across six seasons at Anfield and won the Premier League, Champions League, Club World Cup, European Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.

Last season he scored his 100th top-flight goal in England, having registered 21 for Southampton, making him the second highest-scoring African player in Premier League history after team-mate Mohamed Salah.

His departure means Liverpool, whose strike force of Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino established itself as one of the best in the world, are likely to have a new-look forward line for their Premier League opener at Fulham on August 6.