Liverpool camp will be encouraged by the news that Southampton skipper Adam Lallana has told the club he wants to leave in summer when he returns from the World Cup in Brazil.

The 26-year-old has been one of the prime targets of Liverpool and the Reds had earlier made a £20m bid to lure him. After seeing the initial bid rejected, they upped their offer to £25m, but the Saints are adamant in allowing their star player leave unless their £30m valuation is met.

Ben Smith of BBC reports that Lallana has asked the club to let him leave, although he has not put in a transfer request. 

Southampton are not willing to do business unless a new manager is appointed, following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, who joined Tottenham. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Lallana’s team-mate Rickie Lambert yesterday. The 32-year-old striker joined his boy-hood club after completing a £4m deal, plus add ons.

The report also says that Manchester United are still in the race for Luke Shaw, despite talks breaking down last Friday. The Red Devils are hoping to snap him up after the World Cup.