Saints Puel off a coup

SOUTHAMPTON are closing in on the appointment of former Nice manager Claude Puel.

The Saints have been weighing up potential successors to Ronald Koeman since his move to Everton. Former Roma boss Rudi Garcia was considered, while a move for ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini was not pursued after initial talks.

Frenchman Puel, right, has never worked outside of his own country, making his first foray into management with Monaco, where he spent his entire playing career. He won the league title in 2000 before a six-year spell at Lille and, in 2010, guided Lyon to the semi-finals of the Champions League. He left Nice in May after four years in charge.

Sadio Mane’s £30million transfer from Southampton to Liverpool may be confirmed today after he completed his medical.