Barcelona set for fresh transfer battle, eye raid for £138m-rated Liverpool ace’s teammate

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After Liverpool fended off Barcelona’s attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho this past summer, it’s reported that they might have to do the same for Sadio Mane.

The 25-year-old was a revelation for Jurgen Klopp’s side last season following his move from Southampton, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.

He’s continued that form so far this season to emerge as a real talisman at Anfield, but it appears as though Liverpool will face a new fight to keep hold of an influential figure.

As reported by The Mirror, Mane is on the radar of Barcelona and Real Madrid, while Juventus also hold an interest in the Senegal international.

Provided that interest from the Catalan giants is serious though, it presents the possibility of a fresh transfer saga involving the two clubs following on from their fierce battle over Coutinho in recent months.

The Mirror note that Barca bid up to £138m for the Brazilian playmaker with no success, as Liverpool remained adamant that they wouldn’t sell, even after he handed in a transfer request.

The last thing that they would have wanted is for the same pressure to be applied for arguably an even more important player in Klopp’s side in Mane, but it looks as though that threat could become a reality next year.

Further, it’s added that it’s a blow for Coutinho as well as it looks as though his preferred move to the Nou Camp could be off if Barcelona are already looking at other targets.

Given how important he is to Liverpool, it’s difficult to see Mane being sold, especially given the Merseyside giants showed their resolve with Coutinho when they’re desperate for a player to stay. However, perhaps pressure from the clubs mentioned above for different players could seem them forced to give up one.

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