Spurs could be on the verge of signing Senegal international

Tottenham Hotspur are nearing a deal with Sadio Mane, according to the Metro. Spurs would pay Red Bull Salzburg £11.8 million, which is a bit fishy seeing as the earlier reports were that Southampton had bid £15 million on the Senegal international. But Sky Sports News is reporting that Southampton have bid £11.8 million so odds are that the original £15 million bid was the phony report.

Mane has been a prolific scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga, but really turned heads in last year's Europa League. There, he was tested by some more difficult competition, like C Basel in the quarterfinals, and he was magnificent.

Spurs have been linked to a slew of attack-minded wingers or forwards all summer. Mauricio Pochettino clearly wants a more direct, goal-minded option and Mane would be just that. Southampton have been interested in the Senegalese for a year, which means they were chasing him while Pochettino was still there. That could explain Spurs' desire to sign him now.

If Spurs do sign Mane, Aaron Lennon will almost definitely be sold. Andros Townsend could too, but there isn't a clear destination for him after Southampton reportedly gave up on trying to buy him.