Mane reveals: Wanted to switch to BVB in 2014

FC Liverpool’s offensive player Sadio Mane has revealed that in 2014 he was planning to move from RB Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund. The transfer failed due to the transfer fee.

“I’m going to be honest: Southampton is a great club, but I didn’t want to go. My wish was to sign in Dortmund because Jürgen Klopp wanted me,” Mane told the Mirror. The Senegalese finally switched to FC Southampton for 23 million euros, the twelve million euros offered by BVB had been too little for Salzburg.

“They wanted to sell me to Russia to get as much money as possible. But I said no. My dream was to play in one of the best leagues,” Mane explained. After two years in Southampton, he finally moved to the Reds in 2016 and Klopp, where he won the Champions League with the German coach last Saturday.

The 27-year-old international expressly emphasised Klopp’s share of Liverpool’s success: “He is a very special coach. He has many qualities and distinctive character traits. But what really knocked me out was that he’s a really nice guy off the field.”

Mane scored 26 goals for Liverpool in 50 competitive matches last season. His contract on Anfield Road dates back to 2023.