West Ham have joined Manchester United in the race for Southampton forward Sadio Mane, as reported by the Brentwood Gazette.
David Gold and David Sullivan have made it no secret that they are willing to spend big this summer, in order to ensure the squad is fully prepared to compete on all fronts during its first season in the Olympic Stadium – leading to a number of big names across Europe being linked with a summer a move to the club.
And the latest name to be linked with a move to east London is Sadio Mane, who has been impressive for the Saints since signing for them two summers ago.
The Senegalese forward made headlines last May when he broke Robbie Fowler’s long-standing record for the fastest Premier League hat-trick, by netting his treble against Aston Villa in just two minutes and 56 seconds.
Mane netted his second hat-trick for the Saints as recently as last weekend as Ronald Koeman’s men thrashed Manchester City 4-2.
Brentwood Gazette claim the prospect of Champions League football next season could be a major factor in the Hammers winning the race for the 24-year-old’s signature.
Mane, who is valued at £15m by Transfermarkt.com, has made 73 first-team appearances for Southampton, scoring 24 goals and providing 13 assists.
