Bayern Munich transfer updates - Mane, Lewandowski, Gnabry & more
Bayern Munich and Liverpool have agreed to an initial fee of €32 million for Senegalese winger Sadio Mane. The deal includes add-ons, based on Mane’s performance, that might up that number to €40M. This will be the club’s third signing this summer, after the duo from AFC Ajax, right-back Noussair Mazraoui and central midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. Mane is capable of playing as winger on both flanks, or even in the false 9 role, which had usually been his starting position ever since Luis Diaz joined Liverpool. The addition of a world-class attacker like Mane will be crucial for the Bavarian side, especially since Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry might be on the way for a move.
Source: Fabrizio Romano
Serge Gnabry had been linked to Real Madrid earlier this summer, but Arsenal is being the dark horse of the race, showing their clear intentions of building a strong, quality roster for head coach Mikel Arteta. Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira has been confirmed; Gabriel Jesus is really close at the moment, and Gnabry - who himself was developed in the youth system of Arsenal. As of now, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, with the addition of Sadio Mane - will provide Bayern one of the best winger options a manager could ask for, so the possibility of a departure from Gnabry won’t hurt the squad depths. But Lewandowski, however, if he does force a move to Barcelona, will leave Bayern without a world-class striker, in a market that doesn’t have a lot of them available.
Bayern is looking forward to a very busy summer ahead. Convincing Lewandowski to stay, or starting to look for a replacement - it’s Bayern top priority to quickly decide. Another midfielder might be good to add more backups, after the departures of both Corentin Tolisso (free transfer) and Marc Roca (Leeds United). A center-back could also be worth considering, as their defense have underperformed for a while last season, with Niklas Sule confirmed to be joining Borussia Dortmund on a free move.