Sadio Mane: £30m Liverpool ace snubbed Manchester United interest to work under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield
Mane says he was won over by the chance to play for Klopp, who tried to take him to Borussia Dortmund two years ago
SADIO MANE has become a Kop hero before even kicking a ball for Liverpool — by giving two fingers to their fiercest rivals.
The Senegal star was courted by Manchester United in January and at the end of the season after a sparkling campaign with Southampton.
Yet although United are spending big to mount a title assault, £30million capture Mane was not tempted to join Jose Mourinho’s revolution.
And Mane says he was won over by the chance to play for Jurgen Klopp, who tried to take him to Borussia Dortmund from Salzburg two years ago.
Mane, 24, said: “There was interest from a lot of clubs, not just United.
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“But as soon as I knew Liverpool were interested, I just felt it was the right club with the right coach.
“And he realised I was a young player keen to work hard and progress.”
But Liverpool have had a £33.5m bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Mario rejected following the 23-year-old’s Euros triumph with Portugal.
His father, Joao Mario Eduardo, said: “I was informed the club said no to £33.5m from Liverpool.”
The Reds are on the hunt for a new midfielder after selling Joe Allen to Stoke for £13m.