Liverpool have completed the £30million deal for Southampton’s Sadio Mane following his medical and agreement of personal terms.
Mane has signed a five year contract at Anfield and becomes the fourth addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad ahead of the new season. He will wear the number 19 jersey.
Klopp has been a long-term admirer of Mane, a player he once considered signing for Borussia Dortmund. The Liverpool manager scouted Mane during the London 2012 Olympics, although at that time he did not pursue a deal.
Liverpool’s recruitment team also considered signing Mane before his £11 million move to Southampton from Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg two years ago. Instead, Liverpool have paid nearly £20 million more for the 24-year-old who Klopp is sure will significantly improve his attacking options in the years ahead.
Liverpool have plenty of attacking midfielders, but Mane is seen as versatile enough to play in both wide and central areas, or as a more orthodox centre forward.
Mane becomes the fifth player since 2014 to move from St Mary’s to Anfield, joining Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana as ex-Saints in the current Liverpool squad. Rickie Lambert joined two years ago, but left after one season.
Mane was the subject of a bid from Manchester United this time last year. He now becomes the third most expensive purchase in Liverpool history behind Andy Carroll and Christian Benteke.
Liverpool are adamant the deal for Mane will not exceed £30million, inclusive of any add-ons as part of the negotiation which was agreed last week but delayed at Southampton’s request until they completed the £11 million signing of replacement Nathan Redmond.
Mane is unlikely to be the final addition to Klopp’s squad, which reconvenes on July 4 for pre-season training.
Following England’s premature exit from the European championships, the likes of Lallana, Clyne, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson will now be free to return the club a week earlier than expected and should be back at Melwood before the end of July.
