Sadio Mane looks increasingly likely to leave Liverpool this summer, after six exceptional seasons with the club.
Joining the Reds from Southampton in a deal worth £34 million in the summer of 2016, Mane had developed into one of the best forwards in the world during his time with Liverpool and become a key part of their history.
Mane has been pivotal for Liverpool in their resurgence under Jurgen Klopp, winning a Premier League, a Champions League, an FA Cup, a Carabao Cup and more during his incredible tenure, while also finishing fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2019.
But, as reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and other outlets, Mane has decided he wants a new challenge and is expected to leave Anfield this summer, with Bayern Munich ready to table an offer for the 30-year-old.
It seems somewhat surprising that Bayern of all clubs are the ones showing such concrete interest in Mane. Not because he isn't good enough, but because they already have all the attacking riches in the world.
With Robert Lewandowski making it clear he would like to leave, however, and transfer speculation surrounding Serge Gnabry, a refresh feels inevitable for Julian Nagelsmann's side. And refreshes don't come much better than bringing in someone of Mane's calibre to liven things up.
Bayern have already been active in the transfer market with other signings if reports are to be believed, thus the Bundesliga champions could have a different look next season, as Nagelsmann gears up for his second year in the dugout.
It's not very often that they aren't a terrifying prospect for your club to face, but by adding Mane to their ranks, Bayern could become even scarier next season. With that in mind, we at GIVEMESPORT think now is as good a time as ever to look at a prospective Bayern lineup for the 2022/23 season.
GK - Manuel Neuer
No signs of needing to replace Neuer just yet, despite his advancing age. The legendary German is the undisputed number one at Bayern and understandably so, considering just how consistently exceptional he is, and the fact he is club captain. Goalkeeper is a position they don't need to worry about for now.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 08: Manuel Neuer of FC Bayern München looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on May 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
RB - Noussair Mazraoui
Benjamin Pavard has been deployed as Bayern's makeshift right back for a considerable amount of time now. And while he's done his best in the role, he looks much more comfortable in the middle.
Mazraoui will leave Ajax to join Die Roten ahead of the new season effective 1 July, and brings an unrelenting creative thrust from deep. A perfect fit for Nagelsmann.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 19: Noussair Mazraoui of AFC Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League group C match between AFC Ajax and Borussia Dortmund at Amsterdam Arena on October 19, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
CB - Benjamin Pavard
With Mazraoui signed and Niklas Sule gone, Pavard will most likely shuffle back over into the central role, where he is undoubtedly at his best.
With Nagelsmann not afraid to switch between a back three and four, he'll share a lot of the game time with Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano.
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 23: Benjamin Pavard of FC Bayern Muenchen reacts during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena on April 23, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
CB - Dayot Upamecano
His debut season with the Bundesliga's big guns didn't quite go to plan, but at 23, Upamecano has shown enough promise and still has the potential to be world class.
Comfortable in possession and able to make intelligent recoveries, expect him to look much more at ease with his first season out of the way. Again, expect him to share responsibilities with Hernandez and Pavard.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 08: Dayto Upamecano of FC Bayern München looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on May 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
LB - Alphonso Davies
Davies made his return to the team in the closing stages of the 21/22 season following a heart condition, and will resume the first choice left back spot once more next season.
The prospect of having Mazraoui one on flank and Davies on the other is terrifying. Overloads galore.
KYIV, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 23: Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern München plays the ball during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Kiev and Bayern München at Olimpiysky on November 23, 2021 in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
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CM - Joshua Kimmich
Arguably the most complete, elite midfielder in the world, there is very little Kimmich can't do on a football pitch.
Bayern's main jigsaw piece, he is crucial to their success both in and out of possession. Priceless for Die Roten.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 08: Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Muenchen in action during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on May 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
CM - Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch continues to be heavily linked with a move to Bayern from Ajax, following in the footsteps of Mazraoui.
At just 20 years old, he'd have a lot of work to do to break into the side over Leon Goretzka on a regular basis. But, he's incredibly talented and he will get his chance, giving them tremendous depth.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 23: Ryan Gravenberch of Ajax reacts during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between SL Benfica and AFC Ajax at Estadio da Luz on February 23, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
RM - Kingsley Coman
The man who seems to have played at every top club without anybody realising, Coman has actually found his stride at Bayern and could well become crucial depending on how the summer departures pan out.
If Gnabry is to leave the club, Coman will be thrust into a more regular starting role on the right flank, and is capable of delivering.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 08: Kingsley Coman of FC Bayern Muenchen seen during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on May 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
AM - Thomas Muller
If Lewandowski is to leave, Muller would likely share some of the burden in replacing him by playing the striker role, but he's found his stride in behind as chief creator.
And for that, we think he'll stay there for the most part, rotating with young Jamal Musiala. There's no way Bayern would let Lewandowski leave and not sign a replacement, after all.
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 08: Thomas Müller of FC Bayern München looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and VfB Stuttgart at Allianz Arena on May 08, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
LM - Leroy Sane
Sane has found his stride after a difficult beginning with Germany's top side and will be looking to improve on his seven goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga last season.
Nagelsmann loves to rotate and keep his tactics fluid, but if Gnabry leaves and options are slim, then Sane's importance will only increase.
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - MAY 14: Leroy Sané of Bayern Munich in action during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München at Volkswagen Arena on May 14, 2022 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
ST - Sadio Mane
Liverpool's signing of Luis Diaz and subsequent shifting of Mane into the central role in their front three yielded the most consistent run of form they've had from him this season.
Mane is versatile and, when fully confident, can prove a menacing goal threat anywhere along the front line. Playing under Nagelsmann should suit him to a tee, and would give Bayern a completely new image if Lewandoswki is to leave this summer.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 28: The back of Sadio Mane of Liverpool waves following during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)