How Sadio Mane talked Jeremy Doku out of Liverpool move in 2018
Jeremy Doku is reportedly set to sign for Manchester City this week, but the Belgian winger was close to joining Liverpool in 2018. Sadio Mane advised the then 15-year-old Doku to take care with his development, which is why he decided against joining the Anfield side.
Doku instead signed a professional contract with Belgian side Anderlecht. He then joined Rennes in 2020 and established himself as one of the most exciting young wingers in Europe.
As per a report in the talkSPORT, Manchester City have agreed a £55 million deal with Rennes to sign Doku. Soon after the report, the Belgian's old comments about his conversation with Mane when he was close to joining Liverpool resurfaced.
Speaking to Ouest-France in 2021, Doku revealed that he talked to Jurgen Klopp and even got a signed shirt from Mohamed Salah when the Reds were trying to sign him. He added that there was a tour around the training ground and stadium for the Belgian before Mane's advice saw him turn down the move. He was quoted by talkSPORT as saying:
Doku added:
The Belgian winger continued:
Sadio Mane played 269 matches for Liverpool in all competitions before leaving for Bayern Munich last summer. He scored 120 goals for the Reds while providing 48 assists.
However, his move to the German champions did not go as planned. He played 38 matches in all competitions for them and scored 12 goals while providing 6 assists.
They were quick to let him leave a season later and he has now joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr. The Senegal forward has already played seven matches for the Saudi Pro League side, and scored once.
Read on sportskeeda.com
