Manchester United and Manchester City reportedly fighting for Southampton forward Sadio Mane

It's summer transfer rumour season already, folks - just days removed from the January transfer window closing.

You'll be surprised to hear a Southampton player is being linked with a move away from the club to one of the Premier League giants. No shocks there.

This time it's Southampton's flying Senegalese forward Sadio Mane.

According to ESPN, both Manchester United and Manchester City will be competing in a classic tabloid-lead "tug of war" over the 23-year-old star.

Louis van Gall was reportedly interested in signing Mane throughout last year's summer transfer window. But, Southampton stood firm on their valuation of the player after Mane had an impressive debut Premier League season.

ESPN's report, however, suggests Mane was left frustrated after having his move to United blocked in the summer - which could explain why his form hasn't been particularly good for much of the 2015-16 campaign.

The City link, however, is new. City director of football Txiki Begiristain is allegedly a big fan of Mane and expects him to be a perfect fit for the club for when new coach Pep Guardiola takes the reins from Manuell Pellegirini.