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Sadio Mane didn’t exactly have the best first season in a Bayern Munich shirt. He arrived from Liverpool as the Robert Lewandowski replacement, but hasn’t been close to the Polish goal machine in the last year.

In fact, the forward’s debut season was so bad that he was brutally voted the division’s disappointment of the season by his fellow players.

It was a chaotic year as a whole for the Bundesliga champions, who very nearly lost their crown when Julien Nagelsmann’s replacement Thomas Tuchel left the title win until the last day when Bayern were lucky to see Borussia Dortmund lose and come from behind to win, themselves, in dramatic fashion.

Champions, nonetheless, a sigh of relief could be heard around the Allianz Area. However, the Bavarians had their issues to overcome, starting with Mane.

What happened between Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane?

Ex-rivals at Liverpool and Manchester City, perhaps friction was still in the air between teammates Mane and Leroy Sane upon visiting the latter’s former club in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Losing 3-0, tensions began when the two players had a disagreement in the 83rd minute of play, before anger boiled over completely in the dressing room after the full-time whistle.

What came next surprised many, with Mane hitting Sane in the face, before being suspended by the club and fined £250k.

What did Sadio Mane say about the incident?

Speaking about the incident, Mane said to reporters in his homeland (via The Daily Mail): “This kind of thing can happen. It happened. We were able to solve this small problem.

“Sometimes it’s good to solve problems, but maybe not in this way. It’s behind us now. We’ll try to fight together to help the club achieve its goals next season.

“I’m on vacation with the family. It was a very complicated season, it happens. It wasn’t a surprise, I expected things to be a bit complicated. It’s normal.

“I love challenges, and Bayern is a big challenge. It’s up to me to do everything to meet this challenge.”

Based on what he said, it looks as though Mane is ready to enjoy a far better season at Bayern next season, as he looks to impress Tuchel.

Not getting any younger, of course, the 31-year-old may be looking at his last spell at a top European club. With that, the chance to win at least one more major trophy should be a major motivator next term.

Aston Villa will "continue to pursue" Juventus and Italy star Federico Chiesa in the summer window as the Midlands club look to make further efforts to challenge the Premier League big six, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

Aston Villa transfer news – what's the latest on Federico Chiesa?

It has been a whirlwind ten months since Unai Emery took charge of Villa, from a dogged relegation fight to a completely different fight entirely, one for European football; it would be an understatement to say that the Spaniard has done an exceptional job at Villa Park thus far.

The uptick in form and glamour that has come with one of Europe's most famous managers being at the helm has also led to more prestigious names being linked with the club.

Earlier this month saw the signing of Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, a player that only a year ago was heavily touted for a move to Arsenal.

The newest name, however, is yet another step up in quality, Juventus star and Italian international Chiesa.

BirminghamLive have confirmed that previous reports suggesting that the West Midlands outfit were targeting the 5 foot 9 dynamo were, in fact, accurate, and he was high on Emery's wish list.

A stumbling block for a deal, however, might be the price that the Turin club want for their exciting winger, with FootballTransfers reporting it to be in the region of £51m, which would smash Villa's previous transfer record of £38m for Emiliano Buendia.

What has Dean Jones said about Chiesa to Aston Villa?

Jones was straight to the point regarding the Villain's pursuit of the Juventus wideman, explaining that he was exactly the kind of high-profile player the club were after.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "So I think that that is definitely a high-profile player, which I would expect Aston Villa to continue to pursue."

How good is Federico Chiesa?

This comes alongside Aston Villa already seemingly set to secure the big signing of Villareal star Pau Torres.

It was a mixed year in the famous Black and White of the Bianconeri for Chiesa last season, with WhoScored giving him an average rating of 6.59 across his 21 Serie A appearances.

He played well while on the pitch, but due to a series of injuries and fitness issues, he only started six league matches over the course of the season, appearing as a substitute in the other 15.

Despite the injury problems he has faced over the last year or so, his underlying numbers are still brilliant and indicate just how good he could be for Emery should he be able to play a season free of them.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, Chiesa is in the top 4% for assists, top 13% for tackles, top 15% for progressive carries, top 16% for successful take-ons and the top 19% for expected assists, all per 90.

With numbers like that, it's not hard to see why broadcaster Roger Bennett labelled the dazzling winger a "wizard" following one of his performances at Euro 2020, a competition he played a huge role in helping Italy win.

If Emery and Villa can convince Chiesa, who has been hailed as a "beautiful" player, that the project being built in the West Midlands is one he wants to be a part of, the top six could quickly become the top seven.

Leeds United's search for a new manager nears its conclusion, with a recent update detailing those most likely to get the job…

What's the latest on Patrick Vieira to Leeds United?

That's according to Sky Sports, who emphasise this notion, with the 49ers having narrowed down their search from a list containing dozens of names.

The use of data analytics aided this process, which saw around ten different coaches interviewed across Zoom last week.

However, one of those who were fortunate enough to get a face-to-face interview was Patrick Vieira, who retains his presence on that final shortlist.

It seems the Frenchman stands a strong chance at being offered the post, however, will battle with promotion specialist Daniel Farke for the role.

Would Patrick Vieira improve Leeds United?

Whilst it might be tough to opt against the German, who has enjoyed two successes in guiding a team out of the Championship, it could be argued that opting for the former Arsenal midfielder places more of a focus on the long-term.

His experience in the Premier League surpasses that of the 46-year-old, having managed 65 games to dwarf the 49 of his rival. Whilst the latter might ensure a speedy return to the top-flight, history suggests he offers little once he reaches that level.

After all, his points-per-game average of 0.53 is abysmal, and a far cry from Vieira's 1.15.

Whoever is chosen to fill the vacancy must fix the glaring issue in Yorkshire though, by plugging up one of the most threadbare backlines around.

Last term the Whites conceded 78 times, the most of anyone in the league, and the year prior would ship a further 79. Whilst on paper some of their players might be talented, a lack of confidence and direction has stifled their progress.

Pascal Struijk is one such name whose form has faltered lately, maintaining a 6.75 average Sofascore rating last campaign as they fell to the drop, the sixth-best of anyone in the side.

However, his debut season at the age of just 20 saw this figure rise to 6.94, upheld through his 86% pass accuracy and 80% dribble success rate alongside 1.7 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Despite his youth, he showcased bravery on the ball that had many fans thrilled at the bright future he promised for their defence.

Mismanagement following Marcelo Bielsa's sacking quickly saw him prioritised to fill gaps though, and soon he was forced to feature at full-back, undoing all his work building a solid reputation.

Vieira could well be the man to revitalise the 23-year-old, given how his first year at Selhurst Park saw him get the best out of two young lesser-known centre-backs in Marc Guehi and Joachim Anderson.

The former in particular maintained an impressive 7.03 average Sofascore rating during that fine first campaign for the inexperienced manager, establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most impressive young defenders, and even earning an England call-up.

Pundit Clinton Morrison sought to praise their head coach during that year too, branding him "outstanding" for his work in defying the odds.

It is clear that Vieira knows exactly how to manage defensive youth, and his 4-3-3 philosophy and infectious passion for the game could help finally direct Struijk back on the right path towards being the future of a successful new defensive dynasty at Elland Road.

A number of top players look set to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League this summer, so Football FanCast has decided to make a dream team of potential signings.

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy

As per The Guardian, a number of Chelsea players could be sold this summer as Todd Boehly desperately looks to balance the books at Stamford Bridge.

Seeing as he was named the Champions League's Goalkeeper of the Season as recently as 2020/21, 31-year-old shot-stopper Mendy would surely arrive as the division's best goalkeeper – even with David Ospina already at Al Nassr.

Right-back: Kyle Walker

Manchester City essentially completed football last season so it's easy to see why some players could be ready for a new challenge.

As per 90min, after not starting the Champions League final, it's believed that Walker is considering his options right now with the Saudi Pro League ready to pounce.

Centre-back: Kalidou Koulibaly

Koulibaly is another Chelsea player reportedly close to a move to Saudi Arabia having struggled since his £33.8m move from Napoli last summer.

It wasn't that long ago that he was considered one of Serie A's best players and he would no doubt be an impressive addition to this fast-growing league.

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos

The legendary former Real Madrid man is leaving PSG this summer with his contract expiring and would be a major signing for the division.

Al-Ahli are keen to get him onboard and are said to be preparing an annual salary offer of $20m (£15.7m) for the Spanish defender (via Mundo Deportivo).

Left-back: Ivan Perisic

According to journalist Ben Jacobs (via The Spurs Web), the Tottenham Hotspur wing-back could be heading to Al-Hilal this summer.

Having been a star at international level with Croatia for a number of years, the 34-year-old is coming towards the later stages of his career but would still be a fine addition to most leagues.

Right-midfield: Bernardo Silva

Fresh of winning the treble with Manchester City, the creative midfielder could probably do a job for any team in the world, so it's no wonder he's wanted by the Saudi Pro League – although Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are also linked.

However, with that in mind, the reporting at this stage suggests Silva will turn down the opportunity to leave Europe at this moment in his career.

Centre-midfield: Ruben Neves

Many expected Barcelona to come calling when the Wolves ace finally left the Premier League but it appears that move will never materialise.

Indeed, as per Sky Sports, the highly-rated Portuguese international is off to Al Hilal after a £47m transfer fee was agreed upon recently. It's an interesting career move, to say the least, for the former Porto captain.

Centre-midfield: N'Golo Kante

After seven years at Stamford Bridge, the French World Cup winner is leaving the Blues and heading overseas this summer having won so much during his time in England – including that famous title win with Leicester City.

In fact, this deal has already been agreed upon with Kante set to join Saudi Arabia champions Al Ittihad on a three-year deal.

Left midfield: Neymar

The 31-year-old would no doubt be the biggest coup since Ronaldo if he did head to Saudi this summer and it does look as though he's leaving PSG at least.

ESPN report that Al-Hilal is one of the teams to be interested in securing the Brazilian ace but it remains unclear if he'd be open to a move.

Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo

The first megastar to move to Saudi has settled into his new environment relatively well with 14 goals and two assists in his first 19 games for Al Nassr.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on alongside his new teammates and opponents, with the league's quality no doubt set to drastically improve in the near futute.

Striker: Karim Benzema

Another big name to already be confirmed as a Saudi Pro League signing. Benzema left Real Madrid recently and will be playing alongside France teammate Kante at Al Ittihad.

Having scored 354 goals for Los Blancos, while also picking up five Champions League trophies, the 35-year-old is sure to tear things up with his new club.

Full team:

Mendy; Walker, Koulibaly, Ramos, Perisic; Silva Neves, Kante, Neymar; Ronaldo, Benzema

Liverpool technical director Jorg Schmadtke is interested in completing a swoop for Torino's Dutch centre-half Perr Schuurs this summer, according to recent reports…

What's the latest on Perr Schuurs to Liverpool?

That's according to Caught Offside, who claim that Liverpool have added the 23-year-old to their list of transfer targets as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to rejuvenate his squad after a subpar season.

Torino are believed to be willing to initiate talks regarding Schuur's possible transfer with potential suitors for around €20-25m (£17-21m), which could leave Schmadtke convinced of securing a shrewd signature to leave ample room for further investment elsewhere.

While the emphasis is, understandably, on bolstering the centre of the park after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League, Fabrizio Romano has recently confirmed that the club are searching for a centre-back and will make their move if the right chance arises.

Should Liverpool sign Perr Schuurs?

The 6 foot 3 colossus has gone under the radar somewhat but is undoubtedly one of the Serie A's most efficient and composed central defenders, with Torino finishing tenth this term and shipping just 41 goals all season – a better record than three of the top five.

Having started 28 league matches this term, the Dutchman earned a solid average rating of 6.87 – as per Sofascore – completed 88% of his passes, averaged 1.7 tackles and 3.2 clearances per match, dubbed a "mountain" by journalist Josh Bunting.

As per FBref, the £30k-per-week titan ranks among the top 8% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues for rate of assists, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 19% for rate of tackles per 90, indicating a varied approach to his craft that tantalises a possible moulding into a superlative modern-day central defender, something Liverpool's star defender Virgil van Dijk could play a pivotal role in.

Schuurs' compatriot has been one of Europe's leading forces since signing for the Reds for £75m from Southampton in 2019, making 222 appearances, scoring 19 goals and supplying 12 assists while playing a definitive part in a period in Liverpool's history littered with silverware.

Brazenly named "the best centre-half of all time" by Michael Owen, the 31-year-old bears a resemblance to Schuurs in that he averages 4.9 clearances per game across the duration of his career, as per WhoScored, and could allow his younger peer to absorb the fruits of his sweeping aptitude, and given that he towers above most at 6 foot 5, he could help nurture Schuurs' own aerial ability.

The 'mountain' would fall into Liverpool's defensive crop at a time when he would likely be allowed to integrate slowly, with Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all shouldering the burden, but in time, he could take Van Dijk's mantle and cement a prominent role in a prestigious Premier League outfit.

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's apparent interest in Chelsea contract rebel, Mason Mount…

What's the latest on Mount to Man United?

According to the Telegraph's James Ducker, the Red Devils are readying an offer worth in the region of £50m for the 24-year-old, with The Athletic's David Ornstein previously revealing that the Englishman is "leaning towards" a move to Old Trafford with just a year left to run on his existing deal.

Writing on Twitter, Ducker revealed: "#MUFC set to make £50m bid for Mason Mount (spelt name correctly this time). Chelsea expected to demand more. Fred planning talks with Ten Hag amid uncertainty over his future at United."

In his attached piece for The Telegraph – alongside colleague Jason Burt – the respected journalist went on to add that there is 'growing confidence' among those at United that a deal for the 36-cap ace can be agreed, despite the current gap in valuation between themselves and the Blues.

Who could Mount replace at Man United?

While Ducker spoke of the 'uncertainty' surrounding the future of Fred at the Theatre of Dreams – amid reports that the Brazilian could be on his way to Fulham – the 30-year-old may not be the only player to suffer from Mount's arrival, with Donny van de Beek also likely to see himself pushed further down the pecking order.

Like the Chelsea man, Van de Beek has typically operated in an advanced playmaking role during his time at United to date, albeit with the Dutchman having endured a miserable three-spell at the club, in truth, having been unable to nail down a regular in the side.

Having been signed from Ajax back in the summer of 2020 during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time at the club, the 25-year-old has gone on to start just 23 games in all competitions in that time, scoring just twice and laying on only two assists.

The most recent campaign, in particular, proved rather bleak for the Netherlands international despite the arrival of compatriot Erik ten Hag as he made just ten appearances before suffering a season-ending injury in January, with recent reports now claiming that the £40m man could be among those to depart this summer.

The signing of Mount, therefore, could be the final nail in the coffin for Van de Beek, with his fellow playmaker having proven himself a far more effective force in the Premier League, having reached double figures for both goals and assists in the top flight during the 2021/22 season.

While the one-time Derby County loanee was unable to replicate that feat this time around, the Portsmouth-born ace did still chip in with three goals and six across all fronts, while Van de Beek proved unable to provide a single goal involvement.

With journalist Samuel Luckhurst previously stating that deploying the latter man simply "doesn't work", then the addition of a "mad player" such as Mount – as hailed by club legend Rio Ferdinand – could prove an undeniable upgrade for Ten Hag.

As such, if a deal for the Three Lions gem does go through, it could well be bye-bye Van de Beek…

Influential Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams could leave the club on loan during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Has Adams played well for Leeds?

The 24-year-old has made an immediate impact at Elland Road, joining from RB Leipzig last summer and becoming of the most important players at the club.

Adams added immediate quality and tenacity to Leeds' midfield, starting 24 matches in the Premier League before an injury ended his season prematurely. That proved to be a massive setback for the Whites, who weren't the same team without him and eventually suffered relegation to the Championship on the final day.

Many were left wondering if things would have panned out different with the £55,000-a-week midfielder available all the way through the campaign, and they are now going to find it very difficult to keep of him, despite him only arriving a year ago.

Could Adams depart on loan this summer?

According to Football Insider, Leeds "could sanction a loan exit" for their "star midfielder" this summer, rather than him leaving on a permanent basis. The report goes on to add that the Whites "will hold a degree of control – with Adams’ long-term contract meaning it will take a big-money fee to prise him away from Elland Road".

For that reason, a loan move "could be the best solution – allowing him to supercharge his transfer value with another impressive season".

This is probably the best outcome that Leeds could hope for regarding Adams this summer, with the 36-cap USA international not someone who will be wanting to ply his trade in the Championship in 2023/24. He is a top-level footballer who should be playing in the Premier League, or one of Europe's top five leagues, with Jesse Marsch describing him as a "very important" player during his time as manager.

From a Whites perspective, the hope is that Adams goes away on loan for a year, during which time they seal a speedy return to the Premier League, at which point he returns to Elland Road and kick starts his Leeds career again.

Whether that is possible remains to be seen – he could shine on loan somewhere and then eventually head there for good – but it would be a more preferable outcome than selling him permanently so soon after arriving given his obvious quality, even if it would mean receiving big money for his services.

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is wanted by Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to a new update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Did Havertz have a good season for Chelsea?

The German joined the Blues back in the summer of 2020 from Bayer Leverkusen, famously scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.

It's fair to say that Havertz has blown a little hot and cold in a Chelsea shirt overall, however, with his performances not always matching his top-class levels of talent. This season, the £150,000-a-week attacker only scored seven times in 35 Premier League appearances, and while that was still more than any other Blues player, he still didn't offer enough leading the line.

It has led to queastion marks surrounding the 23-year-old's long-term future at Stamford Bridge, even though his current deal runs until the summer of 2025. Much may depend on how happy he is in west London currently, and whether Mauricio Pochettino sees him as a key figure.

Could Havertz join Real Madrid this summer?

Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that Madrid are keen on acquiring Havertz's signature before the beginning of next season, with Carlo Ancelotti a big fan of his:

"Real Madrid have concrete interest in Kai Havertz. He’s one of the players in the list, really appreciated by Ancelotti. Understand Chelsea are open to discuss Havertz exit but they want important fee, no way for loan & similar."

Havertz leaving Chelsea would be a blow, especially if Pochettino considers him someone who he can build his team around. With Mason Mount looking likely to leave, it could even be that he is used in a No.10 role behind an elite striker who comes in, such as Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who has been linked with the Blues a number of times in recent months.

Granted, the 34-cap and 12-goal Germany international hasn't always performed at a consistently high level, but he remains a young player with a huge amount of potential. He was once described as "world-class" by Matthias Sammer during his Bundesliga days, so to lose him to Madrid at this point in his career would be a setback.

The hope is that Havertz is buoyed by the appointment of Pochettino and sees his future there for the time being, going up a gear under the Argentine next season and fulfilling his talent in the process.

Manchester United will allegedly sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae this summer by triggering his €60m (£52m) release clause.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils could be set for a busy summer in the transfer market ahead of Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge, despite the ongoing off-field saga when it comes to an Old Trafford takeover.

Reports have previously suggested that midfield and attacking reinforcements are high on the club’s wishlist, but it appears as if a new defender is also wanted.

There has been speculation this year that Ten Hag has given the green light to sales for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, with rumours claiming that United have tabled a contract offer to Kim, having met with the player's representatives a few weeks ago – and a further transfer update has now emerged.

Sport Witness relayed a claim from Il Mattino regarding Kim and United, saying that Napoli want his €60m release clause paid in one single payment, something Red Devils officials are willing to do. It is a big fee for United to make in one hit, as Kim would go into the club's 10 most expensive signings of all time at that price.

The report states Kim ‘will go to Manchester United’, with no United players heading to Napoli as part of a player-plus-cash deal and even referencing previous speculation of the player lining up somewhere to live in Manchester.

Who is Kim Min-jae?

Kim, a South Korea international, is an out-and-out centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €50m Transfermarkt valuation.

The 26-year-old only joined Napoli last summer from Fenerbahce but has made a big impact, turning out on 44 occasions in all competitions this season, contributing to four goals in the process.

Hailed as "extraordinary" by compatriot and Red Devils hero, Park Ji-sung, Kim has helped Napoli win the Serie A title and has been the club’s top-rated defender with an average match rating of 7.10/10, as per WhoScored – a higher score than any United defender. He has also averaged more clearances, interceptions and passes than any Napoli player, with his completion rate for passes sitting at an impressive 91%.

Therefore, with the Red Devils back in the Champions League next season, a move for a high-quality defender like Kim appears to be a shrewd decision by those at Old Trafford. You’d expect he could battle the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez for a starting spot, with Ten Hag having at least three top options to choose from, and by the looks of it, a transfer appears to be a matter of time.

Chelsea have made contact with Napoli about signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer, according to recent reports from Italy.

Who will sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

A number of top clubs have expressed their interest in signing Kvaratskhelia already this season, including Liverpool, however reports from Spain detailed he could cost over £100m, given the level of interest in the winger (via Liverpool Echo).

The Georgian's agent has confirmed there is a "lot of interest", with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all in the picture, having watched him on several occasions this season, while Chelsea have also been named as potential suitors.

The Mirror have reported the Napoli star is high on the Blues' shopping list, and they're willing to use Hakim Ziyech in negotiations, but a big issue is the lack of Champions League football on offer at Stamford Bridge (via Tribal Football).

According to a report from Il Mattino (via Sport Witness), the west London club have now asked Napoli for information about the possibility of signing the 22-year-old this summer, as well as his teammate Stanislav Lobotka.

Chelsea are said to be "going wild" about the duo, with Todd Boehly desperate to turn things around after a dismal season, however the report also makes it clear the Italian club have no intention of selling either player.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis wants to keep Kvaratskhelia for at least one more season, and given that he is contracted until 2027, Napoli will not be obligated to sell him this summer.

How many goals has Kvaratskhelia scored?

The Tbilisi-born attacker has been a key player for Luciano Spalletti's side in their title-winning campaign, weighing in with a total of 14 goals in all competitions, while he has also picked up 17 assists.

Hailed as "mind-blowing" by journalist Ryan Taylor, the left-winger has burst onto the scene with Napoli, however this is his first full season in a "top five" European league, and it may be a blessing in disguise for Chelsea if he isn't available in the upcoming window.

Given that the Blues have missed out on Champions League football, it would be very difficult to win the race for the former Rubin Kazan man, so they should keep him on the shortlist for a move next summer.

Kvaratskhelia appears likely to stay put for one more year, which will give Chelsea the chance to get themselves back into the Champions League, while continuing to scout the Napoli star, to make sure he isn't just a one-season wonder.