Manchester United have launched a surprise bid to sign Southampton winger Sadio Mane.
It is understood that United made a bid for the Senegalese 23-year-old last week.
Mane enjoyed a successful year at Southampton last term but United’s interest in the player was unknown until now.
Southampton signed Mane from Red Bull Salzburg last summer for £10m.
In his first year at Saints he scored 10 goals in 34 appearances, including the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history in the 6-1 win over Aston Villa.
The exact status of the bid is unknown but Southampton are known to be unwilling to sell the player, who has scored once in four matches for the south-coast club this season.
Despite making five signings this summer, United manager Louis van Gaal believes his squad lack pace and creativity, and Mane certainly has both those qualities in abundance.
The move for the player still comes as something of a surprise, however.
United were reported to be close to the capture of Barcelona forward Pedro last week, but it emerged on Wednesday the club had pulled out of the running to sign the 28-year-old.
Sources at Old Trafford claim Van Gaal decided to abandon a bid to sign the Canary Islander after doubts emerged regarding whether he wanted to move to the 20-time English champions.
Pedro now looks set to move to Chelsea instead.