Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Real Madrid transfer news: Zidane told Perez one thing about Liverpool before quitting job
REAL MADRID icon Zinedine Zidane thought Liverpool star Sadio Mane would be his parting gift to club president Florentino Perez, according to reports.
Henderson praises Liverpool's front three ahead of Madrid final
Real Madrid reportedly agreed a deal to sign Liverpool star Mane before Zidane sensationally quit the club last week.
Just days after steering Los Blancos to a third consecutive Champions League title, Zidane walked away after two-and-a-half years at the helm.
Since then, it has been claimed Mane was going to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid - but Zidane’s exit has changed the situation.
And Spanish outlet Diario Gol have now delved deeper into the case.
It is said the former Madrid boss discussed Mane with club president Perez.
And he reportedly told him that the Senegal international would be leaving Liverpool for the Bernabeu.
However, Real are now panicking with the Reds digging their heels in over a deal.
Mane, the report suggests, is now likely to stay at Liverpool with Real struggling to replace Zidane.
Yet Perez may reignite a deal - depending on who comes in.
Klopp says he disagrees with referee’s decision over Sadio Mane
Jurgen Klopp is among the contenders but the German is not expected to quit Liverpool for the Bernabeu.
The same can be said for Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino.
And that, consequently, means Real may have to postpone their Mane chase for now.
The Liverpool star has been at the club since signing from Southampton in 2016.