Sadio Mane to Liverpool: Reds could pay club-record fee for Southampton star

Liverpool could pay a club-record fee for Sadio Mane. The 24-year-old is on the cusp of joining the Anfield outfit from Southampton after undergoing a medical, and it has been claimed his eventual transfer fee could rise beyond the £35m ($46m) the Reds paid Newcastle United for Andy Carroll in 2011.

Mane reportedly attracted interest from various club across the continent, including Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Arsenal. While Liverpool have managed to secure the striker's signature, it could ultimately cost them more than £35m.

Southampton tried their best to keep hold of Mane, having insisted they would not let him leave for less than £40m. But they ultimately decided to let him go after Liverpool tabled an offer that could be worth as much as £38.5m based on their Champions League prospects, according to The Telegraph.

Liverpool have made an up-front payment of £34.5m to Southampton, a mere £500,000 short of the fee paid to Newcastle United for Carroll. However, that figure will rise to between £36m and £38.5m depending on the Senegal international's appearances, as well as Liverpool's success in qualifying for the Champions League and how far they subsequently progress in the tournament.

The transfer represents a sizeable profit for Southampton, who signed Mane for £11.8m two years ago from Red Bull Salzburg. Despite rumoured interest from elsewhere, the Saints decided to cash in on their prize asset once Liverpool agreed to increase their initial offer.