Sadio Mane ‘is open to Barcelona transfer to boost Ballon d’Or chances’ as Liverpool star nears end of contract

LIVERPOOL star Sadio Mane has been linked with a sensational move to Barcelona.

report that the striker is open to joining Barca as he thinks it would boost his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

The closest he ever came to football's highest individual honour while at Anfield was in 2019 when he finished fourth after the Reds won the Champions League.

The forward has one year left on his contract with the Merseysiders and is reportedly keen to move to LaLiga with Barcelona posing as his preferred destination.

This comes after reports suggesting Bayern Munich are lining up a shock bid for the Senegal international as they see him as a "statement transfer".

It has been reported that contract discussions between Liverpool and Mane are proving to be "difficult";.

The club are said to be prioritising an extension for Mohamed Salah and that is thought to have irked the African star.

Mane is among the Catalan giants' top picks to bring their attack on the same level it was before Lionel Messi's departure for Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Barcelona have looked at other options as well with Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland being their priority until recently.

However, Haaland is now close to joining Manchester City and the deal could be announced this week.

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The Spanish giants have also been keeping tabs on Bayern star Robert Lewandowski.

But the German champions are not keen on letting him go, especially without a replacement lined up, and are looking to renew his contract, which also runs out next year.

Mane joined Liverpool in 2016 from Southampton and has been a standout performer ever since.

The Senegalese star has amassed a whopping total of 118 goals and 47 assists in 265 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side.