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

Sadio Mane’s agent has sensationally claimed the striker’s departure from Bayern Munich was not for football reasons, but because they couldn’t understand why an African star was their highest-paid player.

Mane’s £34 million 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 poised to pocket a whopping £34 million a year (£650,000 a week) – has joined Cristiano Ronaldo’s side in the Saudi Pro League and Al-Nassr has already added likes . from Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozovic and Alex Telles this summer.

Mane moved to Bayern for just £35 million last year but struggled to establish himself in Germany, scoring just 12 goals for the club, while also having a high-profile feud with teammate Leroy Sane.

When he joined from Liverpool, Mane was reportedly paid an annual salary of more than £20 million, meaning he was one of the club’s top earners.

The £34 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr was confirmed earlier this week

Mane’s high wages coupled with his disappointing form saw him heavily criticized, but Bacary Cisse, Mane’s PR agent, hit back at the club’s treatment of him, insisting that other important factors played a role in his departure.

“It wasn’t a football decision (to sell him),” he said After Foot RMC. “Sadio’s salary bothered the Germans, they didn’t understand how an African joins the club and becomes the main earner above everyone else, so they wanted to get rid of him.

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

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

Cisse continued, “He was professional to the end. But the people in charge at Bayern were not honest.

“They first leaked to the media that they were ready to sell him for 20 million euros. But after he returned to training and they saw him doing well, they increased 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, without discussing the salary. His representatives negotiated that salary for him.’

The striker initially appeared to have made a fantastic start to his time at the club, scoring five goals before the end of August and a further six by the time the Bundesliga broke for Qatar’s World Cup.

But an injury just before the tournament saw Mane’s involvement with the African champions written off and would prove to be a turning point in his season.

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

Mane himself has been outspoken about his departure, admitting it was not the way he imagined his time at Bayern would end.

Mane’s agent, Bacary Cisse, claimed Bayern were ‘ungrateful’ and mistreated the striker

The Senegalese star endured a torrid year with the Bundesliga champions, scoring just 12 goals

“Leaving FC Bayern hurts me,” he said Sky Sports this week. “I wished for a different ending. I know I could have helped the team this season. I wanted to prove it to everyone this season. Nevertheless, I wish the club and the fans only the best for the future.’

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel also admitted to regretting the way Mane’s time at the club had turned out.

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

“I totally understand that he feels hurt. I don’t feel happy either. We haven’t brought it to its full potential and that’s my responsibility.’

Mail sports have approached Bayern Munich for comment.