Liverpool have made Southampton striker Sadio Mane a prime transfer target this summer and are willing to pay \u00a330m.<\/p>\n
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp wants to boost his attacking options and is willing to make Mane one of the biggest signings in the club’s history to do it.<\/p>\n
Liverpool and Southampton will continue to hold talks over the 24-year-old, with the fee a possible sticking point.<\/p>\n
The Saints are likely to want around \u00a340m for a player who scored 11 goals in 37 Premier League games last season.<\/p>\n
This is around \u00a310m more than the top end of Liverpool’s price range, so there is still more negotiating to be done before any deal can be concluded.<\/p>\n
The process might also be delayed by the fact that Southampton are still without a manager following the departure of Ronald Koeman to Everton.<\/p>\n
Klopp was impressed by Mane, heavily linked with Manchester United during Louis van Gaal’s time at Old Trafford, when he scored twice as Southamptoncame from 2-0 down to beat Liverpool 3-2 at St Mary’s on 20 March.<\/p>\n
Alongside England striker Daniel Sturridge and Belgium youngster Divock Origi, Mane would add pace and a goalscoring threat.<\/p>\n
Liverpool would seek to recoup much of the money they spend on the Senegal international by selling striker Christian Benteke, who has struggled after his \u00a332m switch from Aston Villa.<\/p>\n
If he makes the move, Mane will be treading a well-worn path between Southampton and Liverpool.<\/p>\n
Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert and Nathaniel Clyne have all moved to Anfield since the summer of 2014.<\/p>\n
It would also give Saints a handsome profit on a player they bought from Salzburg for \u00a310m two years ago.<\/p>\n
It would also make Mane the third biggest signing in Liverpool’s history behind Benteke and Andy Carroll, who came from Newcastle United in a \u00a335m deal.<\/p>\n
Southampton have also sold midfield man Victor Wanyama to Tottenham for \u00a311m at the start of what could be another summer of transition at St Mary’s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n