Liverpool ‘contact’ Ousmane Dembele in search of Sadio Mane replacement

If Liverpool and Sadio Mane part ways, it has been claimed that Jurgen Klopp’s men have already sounded out his replacement with an approach from Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.

Liverpool have already lined up a replacement for Sadio Mane if he leaves Anfield this summer, according to a report.

The Senegal international’s future has been thrown up in the air following the Champions League final loss to Real Madrid as Bayern Munich look set to launch a bid in the upcoming window. Diario AS claims Mane informed his Liverpool team-mates of his intention to leave the club this summer in the Stade de France dressing room on Saturday night, but the Reds insist the player has not expressed those wishes to the hierarchy.

Bayern are set to table a £25m bid for Mane but it will take a lot more to get him away from Merseyside as Liverpool have placed a £42.5m price tag on the 30-year-old, according to The Athletic. The Germans will offer Mane a contract until the summer of 2025.

Liverpool are ready to sell if their demands are met, with Mane likely to leave next summer as a free agent. But they won’t let him go on the cheap because the suggested numbers wouldn’t be enough to find him a suitable replacement. Jurgen Klopp’s men believe it’s more important to keep the striker at the club for another year.

But if Liverpool and Mane part ways, it has been claimed the Reds have already sounded out a player to fill the void left by the striker. The Spanish media Sport, quoted by the daily mail, believe Liverpool are interested in signing Ousmane Dembele from Barcelona on a free transfer. The report says they have ‘contacted’ the France international over a potential deal.

The winger’s contract at Camp Nou will expire in the coming weeks with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester United linked with the former Borussia Dortmund player. Barca still hold out slim hopes of Dembele agreeing a new deal with the Spanish side but they’re not convinced he’ll put pen to paper.

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Another candidate to replace Mane is Christopher Nkunku, who has been linked with an exit from RB Leipzig. And former Man United goalkeeper Mark Boschich has urged Liverpool to make a move for the winger, averting United’s pursuit.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Australia international said: “I was going to say it’s the $64m (£51m) question, but it could actually cost a bit more than that. I was thinking about it today and watching from the Champions League, there’s the boy from Leipzig I think, Nkunku.

“He was someone who really stood out for me. I know Leipzig fell in the Europa League and were knocked out in the semi-finals by Rangers, but he was exceptional and that’s what I was thinking. today when I was thinking if Mane leaves, what to do and that’s the one that came to mind.”