English Premier League defending champions Chelsea FC are getting ready to sign Southampton forward Sadio Mane, reports the Daily Mirror.
Chelsea have been long-time admirers of the 23-year-old who was instrumental in his side’s 3-1 win at the Stamford Bridge on October 3. The West London club is facing a major striking crisis with their key forwards such as Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao failing to find the back of the net on several occasions.
Mane scores Southampton's second goal against Chelsea on October 3, 2015. The game ended 3-1 in favour of the visitors.
However, The Saints are hoping to hold on to the Senegal international by offering him a new lucrative deal.
Premier League giants Manchester United have also been linked to a possible capture of the on-form forward, who has scored six goals and provided four assists for The Saints so far this season in 17 appearances.
He joined Southampton on September 1, 2014 from Red Bull Salzburg on a four-year deal for £11.8 million and is now considered one of the most lethal forwards the Premier League has to offer. Earlier this year, Mane made headlines by being the first Southampton player to score a Premier League hat trick since James Beattie in October 2002 versus Fulham.
