Bayern Munich will be much more receptive to selling Serge Gnabry this summer if they sign Liverpool’s first signing Sadio Mane, and one expert has insisted there are “legs” on a return of Gnabry to the Emirates.
Mane is expected to push for Liverpool’s departure this summer. The 30-year-old Senegalese has only one year left on his current contract. The Reds do not want to lose such an important asset, although Mané’s contractual situation puts them in a difficult position.
In fact, if Mane is adamant that he will not write new terms, Liverpool run the risk of losing him for nothing if he does not charge this summer.
Bayern Munich is currently the main contender for its services. Their initial £ 21million bid was rejected, although they hope to have more luck with the second bid.
Liverpool want to line up a suitable replacement first, according to The Guardian. Serge Gnabry would tick that box, although the 26-year-old Bayern winger is also a target for Arsenal.
He is in a similar position to Mane with his contract expiring in 2023. Bayern do not want to sell, although they are not willing to match Gnabry’s salary demands.
Now, according to Bild, Bayern’s chances of selling Gnabry will increase if Mane is the first signing.
Mane, Gnabry’s futures could be intertwined
His claims are echoed by the Sun, which notes that Mane’s move to Bavaria will be “music for Arsenal’s ears”.
Mane would become an instant starter at Bayern and his arrival could relegate Gnabry to the bench if they were both on the books.
Between Liverpool and Arsenal, the latter need to sign Gnabry is certainly the biggest.
The Gunners never replaced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and recently confirmed that Alexandre Lacazette will be leaving as a free agent. Gnabry can operate on the entire front line and make sure in some way that Mikel Arteta has little firepower next season.
The winger would “fit in perfectly” at Arsenal
This is certainly the opinion of former Arsenal leader Kevin Campbell. Insisting that there are “legs” for a return of Gnabry to north London, Campbell told Football Insider: “Obviously he is a player who admires Arteta. He knows his qualities and likes him as a player.
“Those like Gnabry would fit in perfectly. He knows the club. It would be his second coming but he knows the club. It’s not like he knows everything. That part is really important.
“You want new signings to hit the track. You don’t have to worry about that with Gnabry.
“There are definite legs because Gnabry still has Arsenal inside. If the opportunity arises … Come on. He’s quality.”