Source: Mané set to become owner of French club

Senegal forward Sadio Mané is in the process of purchasing fourth-tier French club Bourges Foot 18, a source has told ESPN.

Mané, 31, is thought to have been willing to invest in a football club for some time and his relationship with former Bourges Foot 18 president Cheikh Sylla was pivotal in his decision to invest. Sylla will remain as the club’s president.

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A source has told ESPN that Mané contributed some funds to the club in order to assist them in recruiting players during last summer’s transfer window but Wednesday’s announcement will make the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward’s investment official.

Mané’s purchase has also received the approval of the mayor of the city, Yann Galut.

The club, located 250 kilometres from Paris in central France, has never played higher than the French second division. Bourges sit second bottom in Group B of the Championnat National.

Mane signed for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr on Aug. 1 after a difficult year at Bayern that culminated with him being suspended by the club after an alleged altercation with teammate Leroy Sané following the team’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City.

Mané won six trophies during his time at Anfield, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.