Saints striker Mane to seal multi-million move to Liverpool

Senegalese international striker Sadio Mane is on the verge of signing for English Premier League giants Liverpool from Southampton, according to British media reports.

The 24-year-old — who would become the fifth player from Southampton to sign for Liverpool in the past two seasons — will reportedly cost £34million (40.7m euros, $44.7m) subject to passing a medical.

To finance part of the deal, Liverpool — who unlike Southampton failed to qualify for European competition — are believed to be ready to sell out-of-sorts Belgian international striker Christian Benteke, who failed to sparkle last term following his £32.5million transfer from Aston Villa.

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Should Mane — who will bring Southampton a huge profit on the £10million they paid Austrian side Salzburg in 2014 — pass the medical he will join former Saints stars Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne at the club, whilst another former Southampton player Rickie Lambert was also at Liverpool but has since moved on.

Mane, who scored 11 goals last term, is the second star name to leave managerless Southampton in the past week after Kenyan midfield enforcer Victor Wanyama joined Spurs for £11million.

Southampton, who did dip into the transfer market on Saturday buying winger Nathan Redmond for £10million from relegated Norwich City, have been without a manager since Dutchman Ronald Koeman left to take over at rivals Everton earlier this month.