Manchester United told to pay £50m to secure international star

MANCHESTER UNITED will have to pay up to £50million to sign Southampton's Sadio Mane, according to reports.

 

The Red Devils reportedly had a bid in the region of £20m knocked back by Saints over the summer.

Club officials made it clear that the Senegal international would not be leaving the south coast under any circumstances.

 

Sadio Mane was a target for Manchester United in the last transfer window

And United instead turned their attention to Monaco star Anthony Martial who they splashed £36m on, potentially rising to £58m with add-ons.

And according to The Telegraph, Louis van Gaal will have to make a similar bid to prise the 22-year-old away from St Mary's.

 

The report claims Mane is developing on par with Martial and due to a lack of strikers on the market can expect to command a high fee.

In a Southampton forum with fans, Ronald Koeman and executive director Les Reed this week the issue of Mane's sale was raised.

 

The Saints are understood to be keen to renew his contract before the end of the season, and one fan told the club not to part with him for under £50m.

However, if Mane is to be sold, the club can hope to turn a tidy profit on the player they paid Red Bull Salzburg just £11.8 million for last year.