Lallana to spur transfer tug-of-war between Chelsea and Liverpool

Thanks to a stand-out campaign which should be rewarded with a spot in England’s World Cup squad, Southampton’s Adam Lallana has got the Premier League vultures circling.

When a player’s rise to prominence, especially that of an Englishman, is as meteoric as the silky Saints skipper’s has been, it’s only a matter of time before the big guns come-a-knocking.

The latest whispers on the wind suggest that both Chelsea and Liverpool are particularly keen on prising Lallana away from the south coast this summer, valuing the player at around the £20m mark.

If reports are to be believed Tottenham and Manchester United have also displayed an interest in snaffling up the 1/4 shot to make England’s final 23-man party, though the likely lack of Champions League football is an obvious turn-off.

Chelsea make an intriguing option, but considering the abundance of attacking midfield talent already at the club, squeezing Lallana into the melee would take some doing, even for Jose Mourinho.

Southampton’s midfield maestro would have to effectovely displace one of Oscar, Willian, Andre Schurrle, Mohamed Salah, Ramires or Eden Hazard, though perhaps Mourinho sees him as a potential prince to the Frank Lampard throne?

Liverpool could potentially have the most to offer Lallana should he be willing to make the leap to a top-four side, as Brendan Rodgers is clearly in the market for fresh talent for his wide forward/wing positions.

Lallana’s touch and ability to play at a frenetic pace makes him almost tailor made for Liverpool’s high tempo attacking football.

Southampton also operate a high-pressing game and someone with Lallana’s energy could easily fit that mould.

Ironically, Lallana could yet have a massive say on the title chances of either club when Southampton visit the Etihad next, with his side priced up at 4/1 to take a share of the spoils from Manchester City.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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