Chelsea transfer rumour: Blues to battle Manchester United for Southampton star Sadio Mane in January

Chelsea are considering a move in signing Southampton star Sadio Mane in the January transfer window to boost their attack options for the second half of the 2015/16 season. The Blues have struggled to find the back of the net regularly and their poor form has seen them sit 15<sup>th in the league table.

Manchester United are admirers of the 23-year-old and they were looking to secure his services in the summer. However, the deal did not take shape and the Senegalese forward continued at St Mary's Stadium, with the Red Devils still interested in signing him.

The player has scored three goals and managed four assists in 13 league matches and was on the score sheet during Southampon's 3-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Premier League champions have now joined Louis van Gaal's side in the race to secure the services of the Saints man, according to the Mirror.

Jose Mourinho has Diego Costa, Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy as the first choice strikers at the west London club. The trio have struggled to find the back of the net, while summer arrival Pedro is yet to prove his worth in England.

Southampton are hoping to tie down Mane to a new contract as his current deal runs down in 2018. The player is in no hurry to commit his future to his current employers and Saints manager Ronald Koeman had earlier admitted it will be difficult for the club to hold on to their star player.

"Ok, maybe one day we will lose Mane but then we have to be prepared. You know in our situation that kind of players if they play like today there will come a lot of interest in the end of the season, but now we enjoy watching Mane in our team," Koeman told the Daily Echo.

Chelsea will face competition from United in landing the player as ESPN reports Van Gaal's side are expected to make a fresh approach for the attacker in the mid-season transfer window. The Blues will force their league rivals to step up their efforts in signing the Saints star and the Old Trafford club will test Southampton's resolve by making a new bid for Mane in January.