Sadio Mane delivered three-word verdict to Premier League return after Man Utd agreement

Sadio Mane became a Liverpool legend during his six years at Anfield, but he once snubbed Premier League rivals Manchester United and could have joined Newcastle before he sealed his Middle East move

Kasra Moradi Senior Sports Journalist, Dan Burnham Senior Sports Reporter/Content Editor and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

12:05, 18 Jun 2025

Bayern Munich's Senegalese new forward Sadio Mane gestures during a press conference after he signed a three-year deal with German first division football club FC Bayern Munich, in Munich, southern Germany, on June 22, 2022.

Sadio Mane delivered a three-word verdict(Image: CHRISTOF STACHE, AFP via Getty Images)

Sadio Mane once teased the Toon Army with a cheeky "never say never" about donning the Newcastle shirt.

The Liverpool icon, who's now playing for Al-Nassr, also previously admitted that he nearly signed for Manchester United before choosing to head to Anfield instead.

‌

Mane, 33, cemented his status as an Anfield hero after his £34million switch from Southampton in 2016, banging in 120 goals and setting up another 46 in a dazzling six-year spell.

‌

He was pivotal in Jurgen Klopp's squad overhaul, bagging the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies for the Reds.

His move to Bayern Munich in 2022 for a cool £27m was a blow to English football, but it wasn't long before chatter about a comeback started.

Sadio Mane of Al Nassr celebrates with teammate Otavio

Sadio Mane is currently in the Saudi Pro League(Image: Getty Images)

Article continues below

Mane's stint in Germany was blighted by injury woes pre-World Cup in Qatar and rumours of a bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane. So, when he got the boot at season's end, few were shocked, reports the Mirror.

During those rocky times, he bumped into Martin Callanan, a Conservative life peer in the House of Lords who is originally from Newcastle, at an EITI International conference in Senegal, Mane's homeland.

He later tweeted about his chat with Mane, urging him to consider a move to the Toon: "I'm in Senegal speaking at ⁦the EITI⁩ conference. Honoured to meet ⁦Sadio Mane in the hotel. I couldn't resist asking him about coming to Newcastle next season. His enigmatic reply: 'Never say never!'".

‌

Sadio Mane of Liverpool celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 1, 2019

Sadio Mane is a legend at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)

It's not clear whether Mane was just being polite or if the Magpies were genuinely in the running for his services, but he didn't end up donning the black and white stripes. Instead, he signed for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, where he's racked up an impressive 62 goals in 93 appearances.

While many players who've made similar moves to the Middle East have been accused of chasing the dosh, Mane's record suggests he's not just there for a payday.

Article continues below

And his cryptic response to Callahan hints that a return to the Premier League might not be entirely out of the question, unlike many who spend their twilight years playing in Saudi Arabia.