Sadio Mane of Southampton and Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea compete for the ball during their Premier League match. (Photo : Getty Images)
Manchester United is reportedly eyeing to sign Southampton winger Sadio Mane this January to further boost their final third attacking options as team captain Wayne Rooney has not been up to par so far in the current Premier League season.
Metro reported that Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal is "keen to bring in a big name up front" to ease pressure off their newest recruit, 19-year-old Anthony Martial, who had been playing superbly for the Old Trafford giants so far and making his £36 million transfer money well-spent for United.
Meanwhile, the 29-year-old Rooney had been "misfiring" for van Gaal with only a goal to show in seven games for United this season.
The Manchester residents had also signed 21-year-old winger Memphis Depay in May this year to potentially help out in playmaking and scoring, but the Dutch footballer had been struggling to find his rhythm in England as well with only one goal in eight matches to date.
Van Gaal had actually targeted the 23-year-old Mane weeks before the summer transfer window was closed, but no arrangements were pushed through between the Red Devils and the Saints for the Senegal international.
Bleacher Report indicated that a £20-million bid was offered to Southampton in August, but it was rejected by the St. Mary's side as they reportedly value the forward at £25 million.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman had repeatedly insisted that Mane is not for sale at any amount, but with van Gaal and his bosses seemingly ready to spend more this coming winter window, it looks like the Senegalese will have a new home in this second half of the 2015-2016 season.
