The media are determined to stir up interest in a move for Sadio Mane to Manchester United and to do so are willing to slap fictional price tags on the players head.
That bastion of truth The Sun is claiming that Louis Van Gaal is planning a multi million pound raid on St Mary's to land striker Sadio Mane.
When the deal was first mooted back in October it was generally agreed that United's interest was a smokescreen to try and placate supporters who were up in arms that the Old Trafford club had failed in several high profile transfer chases, most notably when Barcelona star Pedro who at one time had looked nailed on for United, joined Chelsea instead.
United then leaked that they were chasing several other options including Mane, the United fans were dismayed and many questioned why the club should think losing Pedro could be placated by a player like Mane whose track record was slightlu underwhelming.
That has not deterred The Sun who seem determined to resurrect the deal and are now claiming it is back on, bizarrely also saying that Saints have slapped a £30 million price tag on Mane's head.
If United were to offer Saints £30 million then to be blunt, it might be hard to turn it down, in that it represents a significant profit on a player signed for £10 million barely 15 months ago and whose form at times has been patchy, even as recently as February/March there were those who questioned Mane's ability and certainly Manchester United fans were not impressed with it,
Mane is a vital part of Saints squad and on his day is impressive, but every player has his price, the newspaper in question has a certain reputation for making up stories, we will find out soon if this is another fabricated story as their detractors claim or if there is any substance.