SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 20, 2016: Southampton's Sadio Mane in action against Liverpool during the FA Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sadio Mane could become Liverpool’s most expensive ever signing

Sadio Mane is closing in on a big-money move to Liverpool, and the Southampton forward could end up becoming the most expensive Reds player in history.

Mane is undergoing a medical in Liverpool on Monday afternoon, ahead of what may well be Liverpool’s most significant signing of the summer.

The Senegal international was always going to command a hefty price-tag, but not many were expecting him to potentially become the Reds’ most expensive ever purchase.

Sam Wallace of the Telegraph claims the 24-year-old could end up costing Liverpool as much as £38.5million, “if the targets laid out for him in the agreement between the two clubs are achieved.”

The Reds were expected to have to fork out around £30million for one of Southampton‘s most prized assets, and an up-front payment of £34.5million has reportedly been made.

That figure is expected to rise to between £36million and £38.5million, depending on Mane’s appearances next season, and Liverpool qualifying for the Champions League in 2017/18.

Andy Carroll is the club’s most expensive current signing, with the striker joining from Newcastle for £35million in January 2011.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 28, 2015: Southampton's Sadio Mane in action against Manchester City during the Premier League match at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Should Liverpool complete the purchase of Mane, he will become Jurgen Klopp‘s fourth signing since taking over at Anfield last October.

Marko Grujic, Joel Matip and Loris Karius have already been brought in, and further new faces should arrive between now and the start of next season.

Klopp is keen to get the majority of his transfer business done by the beginning of pre-season, in order to have his entire squad prepared for 2016/17.

Mane would be the fifth Southampton player to move to Anfield in the last two years, with Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert all making the move from St Mary’s in that time.

The speedy forward scored four goals against Liverpool last season – three times in the Premier League and once in the League Cup.

He has scored 25 goals in 75 appearances for the Saints, since joining from Salzburg in 2014.

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