Sadio Mane hit with bombshell decision after requesting to miss England fixture

Al-Nassr have told former Liverpool star Sadio Mane that he can leave the club this summer as they look to bring a top class replacement to Saudi Arabia.

It continues Mane's torrid time since leaving Anfield, which he did after they lost the Champions League final in 2022. He was a star with the Reds, forming one of Europe's most fearsome attacks, but has been unable to continue that form since leaving English shores.

A move to Bayern Munich last just a season and now Al-Nassr, where he's played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, have told him he can seek pastures new after two seasons in the Middle East. There are rules over how many foreign players can be in a team and the Saudi outfit have set their sights on Alejandro Garnacho.

The Manchester United star has struggled to convince Ruben Amorim, who has left him on the bench for key games, and a move away from Old Trafford is being discussed and could ultimately suit all parties.

Mane's former Liverpool team-mate Luis Diaz was also seen as an option, but Arne Slot claims he wants to retain the player. That is despite the Colombian admitting he's not held contract talks with those at Anfield as he considers his next move.

It could all leave the Senegal icon looking for a new home and he's copping it on the international stage too - so much so that he's asked to sit out his country's upcoming game against England. The Three Lions will host the African nation at the City Ground in Nottingham in a matter of days.

Mane asked to be left out of Senegal’s showpiece friendly against England after being targeted by critics and trolls over his recent performances for the African country. The 33-year-old was gutted to be singled out for widespread stick after the two World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo in March.

His request to miss Friday night’s clash against the Republic of Ireland and the meeting with England and cited “personal reasons”, which were reluctantly accepted by coach Pape Thiaw.

Thiaw said: “It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane - and I respect it as a coach. Sadio is a very important player for us. But I don’t coach one player, I coach 26 players, and so the most important thing is the collective. I have put together a squad of players who are available and ready to fight with pride for the national jersey.”

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