Reports are claiming that Liverpool could offer Jordon Ibe to Southampton as bait to land Sadio Mane.
The Daily Star understands that Ibe could become surplus to requirements at Anfield if Jurgen Klopp lands Mane, who our manager has identified as an alternative to Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze.
Although Ibe made 41 appearances for us in all competitions last season, he found Premier League starts hard to come by under Klopp, completing only four top-flight games after his October appointment.
And his opportunities would be even more limited if we brought in Mane, who is a versatile forward but is arguably most effective when occupying the right-wing spot which is Ibe’s natural position.
Therefore Klopp would seemingly be willing to allow Ibe to leave if it improved his chances of signing the Senegalese winger, who scored 11 goals in 37 league appearances for Southampton last season.
The Daily Star adds that Mane would cost around £30m, but Liverpool value Ibe at close to £10m and reportedly hope that offering the 20-year-old wideman to the Saints will save them some cash.