Liverpool enter race for Premier League star after becoming resigned to fact Mane is leaving

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has reportedly identified Leeds United forward Raphinha as a potential replacement for Sadio Mane, who looks to be on his way out of Anfield.

As per The Sunday Mirror, the German is resigned to the fact that Mane will depart the club this summer; the Senegal international has a year remaining on his contract but has made it clear to the club that he wishes to leave.

Bayern Munich have emerged as the most likely candidates to sign Mane, who scored a hat-trick for Senegal on Saturday to become the country’s highest scorer of all time.

Raphinha, 25, impressed for the Whites this term, scoring 11 times in the Premier League, including on the final day of the season as they secured their top flight status.

Raphinha played in Brazil’s 5-1 win over South Korea on Thursday

The Brazilian is also a target for Spanish side Barcelona and the star reportedly has his heart set on a move to the Nou Camp, however the La Liga side are currently struggling financially and may not be able to sign the player, who is valued at £60 million.

Liverpool boss Klopp may use forward Takumi Minamino as bait in an effort to lure the Brazil international to Anfield, the report says.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch is reportedly keen on the Japan international, who started just one league game this season, and Liverpool could therefore offer Minamino as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Raphinha.

Klopp is not short of options up front despite AC Milan-bound Divock Origi’s imminent departure, with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz having been added to Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino over the past 18 months.

Raphinha, meanwhile, reportedly has a clause included in his current deal that would have meant a release clause became active, had Leeds been relegated.