‘I didn’t want to leave’ – Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane ‘cried like a kid’ after completing transfer

Sadio Mane called time on his Liverpool career this summer, deciding he wanted to seek pastures new after six seasons at Anfield.

Boasting a year left on his Reds contract, the forward would sign for Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to £35m and has since scored eight goals from his first 15 appearances for the Bavarians as Jurgen Klopp’ s side struggle in his absence.

But while it was the 30-year-old’s decision to quit Liverpool, it was a different story earlier in his career when he was left ‘crying like a kid’ after being forced to complete one transfer.

Surprised when Salzburg actually met their asking price, Mane was forced to make a reluctant exit as a result. And recalling the transfer when speaking to RMC Sport, quoted by GFFN, he’s admitted he didn’t want to make the transfer.

“It was a difficult time for the club because they were getting relegated, but I wanted to stay because Metz was my first professional club,” Mane admitted. “I didn’t really see myself elsewhere. I wanted to go back up with the team.

“I remember when the Austrian club made an offer. Bernard Serin (Metz president) said, ‘No, if you want him, you have to pay €4m,’ because he didn’t think that a Championnat National player was worth that price. They (RB Salzburg) came back and offered €4m.

“I didn’t want to leave, But I had to. I was told that I had to. I cried. I remember it as if it was yesterday. I cried like a kid because I had to go to Austria. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know anyone. Metz was my second home. In the end, it was difficult, but I accepted going to Salzburg.”