Liverpool could sign 'new Sadio Mane' in the summer after big-money move

Liverpool could be plotting a move for Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, who has been described as the 'new Sadio Mane', according to reports.

Southampton signed the Rennes winger for a club-record fee of £22million on transfer deadline day.

The Ghanaian, who can play on either flank, penned a four-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2027.

Sulemana joined Rennes from Danish club Nordsjaelland in 2021 and has made 20 appearances this season, scoring one goal and registering two assists.

The 20-year-old is said to have been on the radar of several top European clubs last year, according to Spanish news outlet Nacional, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool.

However, both La Liga giants reportedly thought a move would be too soon, instead choosing to monitor his progress from a distance.

Could Liverpool still sign Sulemana?

Whereas, the report states that Liverpool were 'determined to sign him in January' and were lining up a bid in the region of £30million.

Although, the Reds never made an offer, opting to sign Cody Gakpo for around £40million instead, paving the way for Sulemana to join Southampton.

It also claimed that Jurgen Klopp sees Sulemana as the 'new Sadio Mane'. Mane left Anfield for Bayern Munich last summer, with the club having seen a dramatic shift in form since his exit.

The 30-year-old bagged 120 goals in Merseyside since making the move from Southampton in 2016 - and there is a thought that Sulemana could go the same way.

Despite only signing for Saints this week, it is likely that he will want to play Premier League football. Meanwhile, Southampton sit rock bottom of the table and are at serious risk of relegation.

Should they fail to avoid the drop, it could open up an opportunity for Liverpool to swoop in and sign the winger this summer.

The Reds have had a profitable relationship with Southampton down the years, signing several of their players including Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk and Adam Lallana. Could Sulemana be next?