Keane dazzled by Mane transfer links: Why leave Liverpool for Bayern?

In the wake of reports that Sadio Mane is on his way to

, Robbie Keane has wondered why any player would leave

for the German champs.

Bayern Munich reportedly had a second proposal of €35.3 million (£30 million) declined by Liverpool earlier this week, with a portion of the sum made up of bonus-related add-ons.

Mane has six major championships to his name in six seasons at Anfield, and his contract has another year left on it.

Last week, while on international duty with Senegal, the 30-year-old hinted that he could leave the English powerhouse in this transfer window. 

However, ex-Liverpool forward Keane believes it would be a step-down for Mane in his career if he switches from the

runners-up to the

champions.

"If Mane goes obviously it's a big loss for Liverpool," Keane told Stats Perform at a media day ahead of his participation in Sunday's Soccer Aid charity match.

"If the rumours are true and he goes to Bayern Munich, it's a great signing for them. It looks like they're going to lose [Robert] Lewandowski. 

"I can't really see why would you leave Liverpool to go to Bayern Munich at this moment in time.

"Especially when you got a manager like Jurgen Klopp and what they're doing at the moment in winning two cups, and could've easily won four of them. 

"I'm surprised by it. Obviously he's a top, top player. I'm sure, wherever he goes, any team will be happy with him."

Since joining Liverpool for £34 million from Southampton at the start of the 2016-17 season, Mane has tallied 90 goals in 196 Premier League games.

Only Jamie Vardy of Leicester City (104 goals), Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (118 goals), and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur (134 goals) have scored more in the tournament during that time.

Jurgen Klopp's team is thought to be close to signing Benfica attacker Darwin Nunez as a possible substitute. 

Nunez has 48 goals in 85 appearances for Benfica in all competitions, 61 of which he has started, and has an average of 1.2 goals per 90 minutes in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season.

Mane scored 0.5 goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League, although across six more games and in a stronger league in the 2021-22 season.

Keane, who played a season at Anfield in 2008-09, feels Nunez will bring something unique to Liverpool if a deal with Benfica is reached.

"I've watched him a few times and I think he's a good player," Keane said. 

"He's obviously young and he's more of a number nine, which Liverpool haven't had for a few years.

"They have [Roberto] Firmino, of course, but Firmino drops into 10. They haven't had a typical number nine. 

"So it'll bring a bit more of a target man up there who others can play off. I think it will be a good signing."

Keane is also looking forward to participating in Soccer Aid in partnership with UNICEF this weekend, a charity match that will assist generate funds to give children the greatest possible start in life. 

"We're here so UNICEF can raise as much money as possible, which is an incredible cause," he said.

"What they've done over the last 11-12 years, the amount of money they've raised is incredible. But it's also good to come here and mix with completely different people."

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