West Brom transfer news: Southampton want to replace Sadio Mane with Saido Berahino

Cash-rich Southampton have joined the hunt for Baggies striker Saido Berahino as they search for a Sadio Mane replacement.

Saints have agreed to sell Mane to Liverpool for £34million and it's believed they are now ready to use that money in order to tempt Berahino to the south coast.

Stoke have been favourites to land the 22-year-old this summer for around £16m with Potters boss Mark Hughes a long-term admirer.

But sources close to Berahino suggest he would be open to a move to Southampton, who finished sixth last season and qualified for the Europa League.

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace refused to sell the striker during the last two transfer windows, rebuffing bids over £20m from Tottenham and Newcastle.

The Baggies are willing to let him leave this summer but do not envisage striking a deal with any club soon.

Southampton have joined Crystal Palace, Watford, and Stoke on a list of clubs interested in Berahino, but Saints are arguably now the most enticing prospect.

With several parties interested, Albion are happy to let a bidding war drive the price up. The club's hierarchy are also waiting to see how much Premier League teams spend on players this summer with each team guaranteed to receive money from the bumper new TV deal at the end of next season.

Southampton are currently managerless after Ronald Koeman left for Everton, but they are believed to be closing in on an appointment of former Nice boss Claude Puel.

Even if Puel – who was coached as a player by Arsene Wenger at Monaco – isn't announced by the end of this week as expected, Saints could still move for Berahino.

They bought Albion target Nathan Redmond from Norwich at the weekend in a deal worth £10m.

The Baggies are yet to sign anyone this summer but they continue to hold talks with QPR over a possible £4m purchase of long-term target Matt Phillips.

Head coach Tony Pulis is also reportedly eyeing up fellow Welshman Joe Allen.