Liverpool set to beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to ‘new Sadio Mane’

Suraj Radia
Suraj Radia
  • 14 Oct 2022 18:26 BST
  • 3 min read
Kamaldeen Sulemana, Rennes v Lens, 2021-22
© ProShots

Liverpool are looking to beat a host of Europe’s top clubs to the signing of a player dubbed ‘the new Sadio Mane’.

The Reds are considering making moves in January after a disappointing start to the season combined with a host of key players suffering significant injuries, Luis Diaz being the latest star to be sidelined.

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Diaz is set to miss the rest of the calendar year with a knee injury, leaving Liverpool severely depleted in the wide areas, having sold Mane to Bayern Munich in the summer.

Catalan outlet El Nacional say Jurgen Klopp has personally requested Liverpool make a bid for Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana in January in order to beat Real Madrid and Barcelona to his signature.

Several reports have claimed that Liverpool privately regret the sale of Mane and it is believed that Sulemana could fill the void left by the Senegalese international and provide some long-term relief out wide.

Sulemana was scouted by dozens of clubs prior to joining Rennes from Nordsjaelland last summer and Liverpool could offer €35 million for the 20-year-old, double what the French side paid.

Rennes young duo eyed by European sides

The Ghana international has yet to showcase his true potential in Ligue 1, only making 13 starts since joining, but El Nacional state that Liverpool are not put off by his slow progress.

Real and Barca had been tracking Sulemana for a number of years but neither club believes he is ready to make the step up and they ‘have left the way clear’ for Liverpool to make their move.

All three sides have also been linked with Sulemana’s teammate at Rennes, Jeremy Doku, but he will likely command a higher fee, having joined the Ligue 1 side in 2020 for €26 million.

Both Sulemana and Doku could end up featuring for their countries at the upcoming World Cup, hence why Liverpool are said to be keen to wrap up a move, incase their profiles grow and their price increases.

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