Koeman lining up Sadio Mane as Messi’s replacement should he leave Barcelona

Barcelona lining up Sadio Mane as a plausible Lionel Messi replacement.

Club legend Lionel Messi has been linked with a move away from Barcelona this summer after the Argentine asked the club to activate a clause in his contract that would see him leave Camp Nou on a free transfer this summer.

Luis Suarez is also on the lookout for a new club this transfer window since Ronald Koeman made it very clear that the Uruguayan striker won’t be a part of his squad.

According to reports, Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has been offered to Ronald Koeman as the player to replace Messi and Suarez.

Both Sadio Mane and new Barca boss Ronald Koeman have worked together in the past when they were at Southampton in the Premier League.

But securing the Senegal international’s signature would not be an easy task, as he has a £107million price tag slapped on him.

Sadio Mane has been one of the most dependable players for the Reds in the last few seasons with the winger scoring 22 goals in 47 games for the club in the 2019/20 campaign.

The 28-year old has a contract at Anfield until June 2023.

“Koeman is a great manager and he’s a nice person. When he was at Southampton, everybody liked him at the club,” the reigning African Footballer of the Year said during a 2017 interview with Sky Sports.

“It was easy for the young players, for us and for me personally because he helped me a lot and if I’m here today, some of it is because of him. He gave me many chances and I’m happy for that.”

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