With all of the Southampton players that Liverpool have been linked with since the close of the season, there are few who would have thought that striker Rickie Lambert would be the first through the Melwood doors.
The Reds are believed to be close to completing a £4mil plus add-ons deal for the 32-year old hitman. Lambert spent five years at Anfield as a youth player before being released by the Reds. With stints at Bristol Rovers, Stockport and Rochdale, the Liverpool born striker worked his way into the England set-up under Roy Hodgson and is thought to be keen on returning to his boy-hood club.
A similar bid from West Ham United was rejected during the January transfer window, but with Lambert intent on leaving St. Mary’s this summer, this transfer could progress rapidly if terms are able to be agreed. Most major media outlets are reporting that a medical could be completed as soon as Saturday as the Three Lions prepare to fly out to Miami for more training ahead of the start of the World Cup in Brazil next month.
With Champions League football on the horizon, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is keen on finding other options to build on the squad depth and quality. With former Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino jumping ship for Tottenham, the Saints squad looks ripe for the picking with Liverpool in particular keen to snatch a few players. A bid of £20mil is already on the table for attacking midfielder Adam Lallana and they’re known to hold an interest in Croatian center-half Dejan Lovren.
