Al-Nassr set to part ways with Sadio Mane despite 60% pay cut offer

Al-Nassr do not intend to renew Sadio Mane’s contract when it expires at the end of the current season, despite the Senegal forward’s strong performances for the Saudi Arabian club.

Saudi journalist Falah Al-Qahtani reported that Mane’s representative offered to reduce the player’s current salary by 60% to secure a one-year extension. However, Al-Nassr rejected the proposal.

Mane joined Al-Nassr from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 and has since established himself as a key member of the team. Across approximately three-and-a-half seasons, he has made 144 appearances, scoring 54 goals and providing 43 assists.

His biggest team achievement with the club came last season, when Al-Nassr won the Roshn Saudi League title for the first time in seven years. He also helped them win the King Salman Club World Cup in the summer of 2023.

Unless an agreement is reached, Mane will be able to sign for another club during the next winter transfer window before moving on a free transfer the following summer.

Uncertainty around Al-Nassr’s Portuguese stars

Mane’s potential departure could coincide with the exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix, whose futures at Al-Nassr are also uncertain.

Ronaldo’s contract expires at the end of the current season. Reports suggest he could announce his international retirement after that point, particularly if he achieves his major career target of scoring 1,000 goals.

The Portuguese forward has scored 985 goals in his career so far and needs 15 more to become the first player in history to reach four figures.

Felix’s contract is also due to expire at the end of the current season, meaning he could sign an agreement with another club during the winter window and leave for free in the following summer.

Al-Nassr do have an option to extend the Portugal international’s deal for two further seasons without requiring his approval. Exercising it would require the Saudi club to pay Chelsea €20m and increase Felix’s annual salary from €10m to €12.5m.

According to Kooora, Al-Nassr’s administration, led by Ahmed Al-Sultan, is accelerating legal procedures to activate the unilateral extension clause and keep Felix at the club until the summer of 2029. The move would also block efforts by his agent, Jorge Mendes, to take him to Barcelona.

The club’s decision followed renewed interest from Barcelona. Mendes had reportedly planned to use the end of Felix’s mandatory contract period, which concludes at the end of the current season in the summer of 2027, to arrange a free transfer or a move for a nominal fee.

Al-Nassr are currently working to resolve financial problems before informing the Saudi Pro League that they can provide the guarantees required for the Felix deal by the deadline in May next year.