Adam Lallana poised to agree new short-team deal with Liverpool
Adam Lallana is poised to agree a short-term deal with Liverpool that will enable him to stay at Anfield for their title coronation.
The England international’s current contract is set to expire on June 30; Premier League clubs have long identified him as one of the summer’s main Bosman deals and he is expected to move to Leicester, even though Tottenham, Arsenal, Bournemouth and Burnley have all registered interest.
It would have been odd, though, had Lallana left before the end of this campaign, given he has spent six years on Merseyside and the fact he is regarded as such an important part of the dressing room by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
England midfielder Adam Lallana is poised to agree a short-term deal with Liverpool
Lallana is regarded as an important part of the Liverpool dressing room by Jurgen Klopp (left)
Klopp wanted Lallana to be available for the remaining nine fixtures and that is now going to be the case following discussions with the 32-year-old, whose terms will now expire at midnight after the final match at Newcastle. A date – or a venue – has yet to be confirmed for that match.
Lallana has made 22 appearances this season, 15 of which have been in the Premier League and he will comfortably qualify for a medal should Liverpool secure the six points they require to become champions for the first time since 1990.
There is an understanding, however, between Lallana, Klopp and Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, that priority for selection should go to those such as Takumi Minamino, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, who will be at the club for the long-term.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly keen to link back up with the ex-Southampton ace
Klopp also recognises that Liverpool are likely to come up against teams who want to sign Lallana, who will also be mindful of avoiding an injury. Leicester have led the chase for him since it emerged earlier this year that he would leave Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester manager, signed Lallana in the summer of 2014 for Liverpool when he left Southampton.
Lallana will be one of a number departures from Liverpool’s current squad; he will be joined by Nathaniel Clyne, who is training at the club’s Academy on his own.
Clyne has not played this season, following a serious knee injury sustained in pre-season. He will leave on June 30; Xherdhan Shaqiri is another who will depart with Newcastle keen on signing the Switzerland international. He, however, will command a substantial fee.
