Sadio Mané has insisted that he is “very happy” at Liverpool despite speculation in Spain linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool will this week travel to the Spanish capital for Saturday’s Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered defeat to Madrid in last year’s Kiev final, with Mané scoring their only goal in a 3-1 reverse.
Zinedine Zidane, Madrid’s head coach, is reported to be an admirer of Mané and reports in Spain have linked the Senegal international with a move to the Bernabeu.
Mané distanced himself from such speculation last month, before Liverpool’s last four meeting with Barcelona, and did so again in the build-up to the final.
“This is part of football, so we have to deal with it,” he said at the club’s media day at their Melwood training ground on Tuesday.
“For me, the more important thing is that I am with Liverpool and I am very happy here, and I am preparing for one of the club’s biggest games. Let’s focus on this first, and on winning it.”
When asked whether it was special to be linked with teams of Madrid’s stature, Mané reminded reporters that Liverpool are no small club either.
“It’s always a pleasure for this kind of team to want you,” he said. “But Liverpool, don’t forget, we beat big teams.”
