Liverpool are weighing up a bid for Southampton forward Saido Mane, as their attentions turn away from Mario Gotze, per reports in various media outlets.
With manager Jürgen Klopp keen to bolster the Reds' attacking department with an early move in the summer transfer window, it's thought that Mane is becoming a more likely candidate by the day to fill that role.
No Gotze, mo' Mane
There was clear initial interest in Bayern Munich's Gotze, who the Bavarian's are believed to be open to the idea of selling, only for the player to come out himself and state that he's looking forward to working under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
With that statement seemingly decreasing Liverpool's chances of signing the playmaker, they may well have moved onto Mane, who the Saints reportedly value in the region of £25million. Despite that pricetag, Ronald Koeman will be determined to hang on to one of his prize assets, who was subject to interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur this time last year.
He has history against Liverpool...
Mane certainly impressed against the Reds last season, rising high to score a late equaliser in Klopp's first league game at Anfield, before scoring a brace in Southampton's dramatic comeback at St Mary's, Liverpool losing 3-2 after being 2-0 up at the break.
He's extremely quick, and scores goals from outwide, something that Klopp said he might look at earlier in the season, candidly stating that he feels his squad "lack pace" in wide areas. The move would also go hand in hand with any departure for Jordon Ibe, news this week revealing that the L4 club are ready to listen to offers for their youngster.
If a move for Mane did go through, he would become the fifth player to jump ship to Merseyside from the South Coast within a 24 month period, after Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren moved in 2014, before Nathaniel Clyne was signed around this time last year.