Lallana deal still in balance

Southampton tell Liverpool to cover Bournemouth’s Adam Lallana cut. Liverpool will be forced to increase their bid for Adam Lallana to around £25m if they want to land the England international, according to reports.

The Reds are believed to have offered £20m for the Saints’ skipper. But his former club Bournemouth are entitled to 25 per cent of the fee and Southampton want Liverpool to cover that.

The Liverpool Echo claims that Southampton want to pocket the full £20m for Lallana, not see a quarter of it going straight to the Cherries. They will demand Brendan Rodgers’ side pay an extra £5m, which will essentially be Bournemouth’s cut of the deal.

The 26-year-old joined Southampton’s Academy from Bournemouth’s Centre of Excellence as a 12-year-old.

He is thought to be keen on the switch to Anfield, but would hope to do so without having to hand in a transfer request.

Saints will be hoping that his value increases even further after he has played in the World Cup for England this summer.