Mane joins Cristiano at Al-Nassr as Saudi spending spree continues

Sadio Mane has left Bayern Munich to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Mane, 31, only signed a three-year deal with the Bundesliga champions last summer but a turbulent season in Bavaria has brought a premature end to his time at the Allianz Arena.

The Senegalese forward was fined and suspended by Bayern last April after an altercation with team-mate Leroy Sane following a Champions League loss to Manchester City.

Bayern Munich's CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: "We want to thank Mane for the past season. 

"It certainly wasn't an easy year for him, getting injured just before the World Cup and being unable to take part in it with Senegal, who he'd previously led to a first triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualification. 

"Because of his long lay-off, he also couldn't have the impact at Bayern that we all and he himself had hoped for. 

"That's why we came to the joint decision that he’ll begin a new chapter in his career and make a new start at a different club.

"We wish him all the best and lots of success for the challenges ahead at Al-Nassr."

The ex-Liverpool attacker will play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at new employers Al-Nassr, who have also recruited Marcelo Brozovic, Seko Fofana and Alex Telles this summer.

Saudi Pro League spending continues to dominate the transfer market with Mane the latest star of European football to move to the Middle East.

He is in line to make his debut in the Saudi top flight against Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq on August 14, where he could come up against former team-mate Jordan Henderson.

Mane will be hoping to rediscover the form he showed on a regular basis in a Liverpool shirt at Al-Nassr.

In six years with the Reds, the winger scored 120 goals in 269 games and helped the club win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Club World Cup.

At Bayern, Mane was a shadow of his former self, scoring only 12 times in 38 appearances and often having to make do with a place on the bench.

But the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations winner did leave Bavaria with a Bundesliga title to his name.