Liverpool legend responds to Saudi transfer rumours amid shock Duran interest

Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold aren’t the only Liverpool legends to be linked with January transfers, with a fourth Anfield hero speaking out about rumours that he could change clubs in January.

Sadio Mane might have left Anfield in 2023 to sign for Bayern Munich before hooking up with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr a year later, but the 32-year-old Senegal international retains special significance on Merseyside, where he will go down as one of the Reds’ all-time greats.

Mane scored 120 goals while with Liverpool and added a further 42 assists across a six-year spell that saw him win every major domestic honour available to the Premier League giants as well as the 2018/19 Champions League title.

But even at 32, he could return to the big time. Mane is linked with a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan this January.

Mane reacts to Inter rumours

Mane has done his best to quell the speculation surrounding his future, insistent that he is simply focusing on Al-Nassr, where he is under contract until June 2026.

“I think it’s part of football, and as a player, you have to accept that. The rumours still exist, but I’m no longer a young player who lets it affect him. I’m here, focused on my team. It doesn’t bother me. My goal is to stay with Al-Nassr and help win titles,” he told the media in the mixed zone after helping his side beat Al-Khaleej 3-1.

It appears that Mane’s plan is to remain by the side of Cristiano Ronaldo rather than target a big return to European football.

Ronaldo has recently signed a new deal with Al-Nassr, which shows the determination of both the club and the Saudi Pro League to grow their influence in the game.

Indeed, Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has also been linked with a spectacular €100m transfer to Al-Nassr.