Brendan Rodgers has been in hot pursuit of the winger but has found negotiating with a manger-less Southampton hard to negotiate with. Lallana has now travelled to Miami with the England squad ahead of the World Cup, forcing Liverpool to hold off their pursuit until after the World Cup.
The Reds are confident that £25 million will be enough to convince Southampton to sell their captain but have told Lallana to force the situation by telling the club he wants to move to Anfield. They have already decided to up their offer from an original bid of £20 million.
Liverpool know the 26-year-old is desperate to move to Liverpool to take part in their Champions League campaign and has already rejected advances from Manchester United as a result.
Officials at Old Trafford were keen to bring Lallana in as part of a double swoop including Luke Shaw, but their lack of European football made Liverpool the obvious choice.
Despite his desperation, Lallana is now keen to focus on England’s World Cup campaign. Southampton have already confirmed that they will not consider any transfer bid until a new manager has been appointed.
The Saints are keen to get every penny possible out of selling Lallana because Bournemouth have a 25% sell on clause inserted into the deal when the player originally joined Southampton as a youngster.
Written by Steve Milne