Sadio Mane’s agent claims ‘ungrateful’ Bayern Munich wanted to ‘get rid of’ the £34m winger because he ‘couldn’t understand how an African became the top earner’

Sadio Mane’s agent has sensationally claimed that the striker’s exit from Bayern Munich was not for football reasons but because they could not understand how an African star was their highest paid player.

Mane’s £34m move to Saudi side Al-Nassr was confirmed on Tuesday, ending the Senegalese striker’s disastrous spell at Bayern.

The 31-year-old – who is set to pocket a staggering £34m-a-year (£650,000-a-week) – has joined Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr having already added the tastes. of Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic and Alex Telles this summer.

Mane only moved to Bayern for £35million last year but struggled to settle in Germany and scored just 12 goals for the club, despite also having a high-profile falling out with teammate Leroy Sane.

When he arrived at Liverpool, Mane was reportedly paid an annual salary of over €20m (£17.3m), meaning he was one of the club’s top earners.

Mane’s high wages, combined with his disappointing form, meant he was heavily criticised, but Bacary Cisse, Mane’s PR agent, hit back at the club’s treatment of him and insisted on the fact that other important factors had played a role in his departure.

“It was not a footballing decision (to sell him),” he said After Football RMC. “Sadio’s salary bothered the Germans, they didn’t understand how an African would join the club and become the top earner in front of everyone, so they wanted to get rid of him.

“They never called the player reps. They never told Sadio face to face that they wanted to get rid of him. They just sent (Thomas) Tuchel to tell him he will be a winger third choice left.

“Sadio has nothing to prove to the Germans. He didn’t become what he became thanks to Bayern. It was thanks to Liverpool. Bayern were ungrateful. They were paying all that money to an African, and it hurt them.

Cissé continued: “He was professional until the end. But Bayern officials were not fair.

“They first leaked to the media that they were ready to sell him for €20m (£17.3m). But after returning to training and seeing he was fine, they raised the price to €30m (£25.9m).

‘Sadio didn’t steal his money. From the first meeting with Bayern, he gave them his word that he would join, not to mention the salary. His representatives negotiated this salary for him.

The striker initially appeared to have made a fantastic start to the club, scoring five goals before the end of August, and six more by the time the Bundesliga came to a halt for the Qatar World Cup.

But an injury just before the tournament canceled Mane’s involvement with the African champions and proved to be a turning point in his season.

After returning in February, he scored just one more goal in all competitions throughout the season, with Julian Nagelsmann sacked in favor of Tuchel to salvage Bayern’s domestic hopes.

Mane himself has opened up on his exit, admitting it was not how he imagined his time with Bayern would end.

“Leaving FC Bayern hurts me,” he said sky sports this week. “I would have liked a different ending. I know I could have helped the team this season. I wanted to prove that to everyone this season. Nevertheless, I only wish the club and the fans the best for the future. .

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has also admitted his regret over how Mane’s time at the club has gone.

“We had a big hug,” the German manager began. “We agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now, but it’s the best in this situation.

“I totally understand that he feels hurt. I don’t feel happy either. We haven’t brought him to his full potential, which is my responsibility.

Sports Mail have approached Bayern Munich for comment.