Liverpool want £39m Madrid flop as shock Sadio Mane replacement

Liverpool want a £39 million Real Madrid flop as a shock Sadio Mane replacement.

Reports have indicated that Jurgen Klopp has asked FSG to finance a deal for the player, who could take the place of Mane.

Liverpool’s front three are approaching the end of their prime together, and that’s a problem. It’s a problem because it means Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah will all peak and decline at the same rate, but they’re also elite players so they’ll block the progression of other talented youngsters.

Liverpool could sell Sadio Mane

Klopp will need to rebuild this squad over the next two seasons, and that could start in the summer. With Harvey Elliott (currently playing well for Blackburn on loan) and Diogo Jota in the squad, our 28-year-old star is the only player without an in-house replacement.

Mane will be 29 this season and would command a massive transfer fee – although that will decline as the Senegal international edges towards and beyond the big 3 0.

This is why Liverpool are looking at Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian starlet who plays primarily off the left and would be available for £39 million.

Liverpool could have spotted a bargain

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Vinicius has struggled this season and Zinedine Zidane could be at the end of his tether with the youngster. He’s got just 453 league minutes under his belt, with two goals and two assists, and at Real that’s not good enough.

But he’s clearly got that star quality, and £39 million could be a snip to pay for such a young talent who made the move from Brazil to Europe at an early age in his development.

Vinicius is just 20 but has already played 95 games for Madrid, with 11 goals and 19 assists, and clearly has some pedigree. Bringing him in as a Mane replacement would be a bit of a risk, even if FSG would be able to bank a considerable profit.

Another thing to consider is that the traditional powerhouses of Barcelona and Real might not be able to afford these huge transfers, and it would take a huge fee to convince Klopp and Liverpool to sell Mane.

Might we see Mane replaced this summer? Perhaps. The squad needs a refresh, but without big clubs enjoying the finances that they once did, Liverpool might have to change those plans around.