Liverpool transfer news: Anfield move to secure Southampton's Sadio Mane - reports

Southampton are demanding £30m for the Senegalese international

Sadio Mane in action for Southampton (Getty Images)

Liverpool are expected to increase their efforts to sign Southampton’s Sadio Mane in what reports suggest would be a £30m deal.

The Saints striker was approached by Anfield several weeks ago and negotiations have gathered pace ever since, according to the Telegraph.

After proving unable to secure the signature of Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze, Jurgen Klopp turned to the 24-year-old as an alternative.

The Senegalese has long been linked with the club and was identified as a target during Brendan Rodgers’ time at the club. Klopp was also reported to have pursued Mane as manager of Borussia Dortmund.

The club’s association with Mane has provoked a mixed response from fans though. His pace would certainly boost Liverpool’s attacking threat but his lack of consistency and high price-tag has left some doubting whether or not the Senegalese would be worth it.

Liverpool has developed a habit for cherry-picking Southampton’s top players in recent years. Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Rickie Lambert all made the switch from St Mary’s to Anfield in the space of the last three years.

Mane has scored 21 goals for the Saints across the past two seasons (Getty)

The Telegraph reports that the Liverpool hierarchy is keen to finalise the deal as soon as possible with pre-season training set to get underway in the first week of July.

Mane would become Jurgen Klopp’s fourth signing of the year having already secured the signatures of Marko Grujic, Joel Matip and goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Reports suggest that Anfield are also engaged in negotiations with Leicester’s Ben Chilwell and Polish winger Piotr Zielinski.