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 Senegalese international striker, who would become the fifth player from Southampton to sign for Liverpool in the past two seasons, will reportedly cost £34 million (Dh164.8m) 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 £32.5m transfer from Aston Villa.
• Tottenham set to complete signing of Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama — reports
Should Mane, who will bring Southampton a huge profit on the £10mi they paid Austrian side Salzburg in 2014, pass the medical he will join former Southampton players 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 Tottenham Hotspur for £11m.
Southampton, who did dip into the transfer market on Saturday, buying winger Nathan Redmond for £10m from relegated Norwich City, have been without a manager since Dutchman Ronald Koeman left to take over at rivals Everton earlier this month.
Dani Alves begins new chapter with Juventus
Brazil international Dani Alves on Monday signed a two-year deal with Juventus, the Italian Serie A champions announced.
The 33-year-old full-back left Barcelona in June at the end of his contract, after eight seasons with the Catalan giants produced 23 trophies.
“Dani Alves is bianconeri,” Juve declared in a statement, hailing their new signing’s “class, athletic qualities and international experience”.
After leaving Sevilla for the Camp Nou in 2008, the Brazilian claimed six La Liga titles and three Champions League winners’ medals.
Alves was part of the Brazil squad that was knocked out of the Copa America centennial edition in the United States in the group stages earlier this month.
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