Liverpool consider Sadio Mane move

Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of the 24-year-old attacker, who excelled in both fixtures against the Merseyside club last season.

However, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs also keen on the player – who would command a fee in excess of £20 million – it would require all Klopp’s powers of persuasion to lure the Senegal international to Anfield.

United tried to sign Mane last season when the Saints successfully resisted attempts to take another of their prized assets.

There will be a sense of familiarity with Liverpool now preparing a move given how often the club’s scouts have turned their gaze on St Mary’s Stadium.

In successive years Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne have made the move North.

With Southampton qualifying for Europe next season – and Liverpool finishing below the Saints in the campaign just finished – Ronald Koeman and his scouting team have so far managed to get the better of those transactions.

Resistance to the sale of Mane may be stronger than was the case with all those previous players, while the player himself is sure to have the option of numerous Champions League clubs.

The question is whether the lure of working with Klopp and the promise of Liverpool competing over the next few years will compensate for the lack of European football over the next 12 months.

Mane first came to prominence playing for Metz in France before moving to Austria to impress for Red Star Salzburg.

His form there prompted his £11.8 million move to Southampton, where he currently has two years remaining on his contract.

Liverpool have been forced to assess their options after their initial target Gotze indicated he would rather stay at Bayern Munich than reunite with Klopp.

Although Munich have since suggested Gotze’s playing opportunities will be limited, the lack of commitment from the player to making a move to Merseyside has been duly noted.

The door has not been completely closed on Gotze because of Klopp’s relationship with him, but the pursuit is effectively over unless there is another major and swift u-turn from the player.

Liverpool are not expecting Gotze to change his mind again and have no appetite to await the outcome of whatever game is being played in Munich between player and club.

Klopp certainly can’t wait and let other targets go elsewhere, which is why Liverpool are assessing their chances of taking another of Southampton’s stars.

Source: Telegraph

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