Sadio Mane on verge of big-money Liverpool move

London (AFP) – 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 £34 million (41 million euros, $45 million) 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 big-money transfer from Aston Villa.

Should Mane — who will bring Southampton a huge profit on the £10 million 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, while 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 £11 million.

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