Liverpool face a fresh fight to keep one of their star players — with Sadio Mane attracting interest from Europe.
The forward, who missed Saturday’s draw with Burnley at Anfield after starting a three-game ban, is on the radar of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, together with Italian champions Juventus.
It is bad news for Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp, who has endured a stressful summer with Barcelona bidding up to £138million for Philippe Coutinho.
The last thing he wants is a similar scenario with Mane, who many Kop fans regard as the club’s most important player — ahead of Coutinho.
But some headline-catching performances this season have alerted Barca, who are ready to switch their focus from Coutinho to Mane.
The 25-year-old Senegal ace was snapped up from Southampton three years ago for just £11.8m.
And Barcelona’s interest in Mane is a blow to Coutinho, who now fears his dream Nou Camp move is scuppered.
* LIVERPOOL and Chelsea are fighting it out to poach rookie winger Joseph Hungbo from Crystal Palace.
The Eagles youth star is attracting interest after earning rave reviews.
The 17-year-old from London, who also qualifies for Nigeria, would command a compensation fee.