Liverpool 'close to agreeing £30m Sadio Mane deal'

Liverpool have reportedly taken another big step towards signing forward Sadio Mane from Southampton in a deal worth £30m.

The 24-year-old has been tipped to make a switch to Anfield in recent weeks, as Reds boss Jurgen Klopp aims to transform his side into a title-winning outfit.

Reports emerged on Thursday suggesting that Mane, who has scored 25 times in 75 appearances since joining the Saints from Red Bull Salzburg in 2014, had chosen Liverpool as his next destination despite rumoured interest from Manchester United.

According to The Guardian, a fee has now been agreed between the two clubs and Mane could be unveiled as a Liverpool player before the end of the month.

However, the Senegal international is currently on holiday and it is claimed that negotiations are now likely to be put on hold over the coming days.

Mane, under contract at St Mary's Stadium until 2018, found the net 15 times in 43 games for Southampton last season.