The latest reports from the rumour mill suggest that Saints along with Leicester City, Brighton & Burnley are interested in signing the player who will leave Liverpool after the final day of the season on Sunday.

Adam Lallana who turned 32 in May made the £25 million move from Saints to Merseyside in 2014 after notching up more than 250 appearances for the club, but after an injury-hit couple of seasons at Liverpool, the England international will leave Jurgen Klopp's side after their final game of the season against Newcastle United on Sunday.

Several clubs are interested including Saints Leicester City, Brighton & Burnley are said to be vying for his signature with the media reporting that Ralph Hasenhüttl believes the Saints academy graduate is the perfect replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

This is strange given that Hojbjerg is a defensive midfielder, whilst Lallana is very much in the attacking and creative mode.

The player is available on a free transfer after six seasons at Anfield culminating in a Premier League winners medal, but the issue for all of the clubs will be the wages he would command.

From a footballing viewpoint Leicester seem to be the front runners given they could offer him European Football, indeed even Champions League should they beat Manchester United on Sunday.

It was now Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers who signed him for Liverpool and that will be a factor, as will be the travelling factor as he would not need to move from his current home in Cheshire.

But if Ralph Hasenhuttl is truly interested in the player and that is far from certain due to the players age, he could also have an advantage in that the ex Saints family all live in the Bournemouth area and he may want to move back South to be near them.

But a move to St Mary's would not be without controversy, although Lallana was voted into the greatest ever Saints team for the Saints exhibition at the SeaCity museum a few years agp, it would certainly split the fan base as to whether they welcome him back.

When he left some supporters were not impressed with the way it happened, with the player seemingly demanding a move and conducting transfer business whilst away with the England squad in the build up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

But it could also be said that for many time has been a healer and if Ralph feels he will improve the squad then although not exactly forgiving and forgetting, they would be willing to let bygones be bygones.

But perhaps the biggest question is where he would fit in, as mentioned he is far from a direct replacement for Pierre Emile Hojbjerg in terms of playing style and we already have a lot of attacking options available.

But on a free transfer he could well be a relatively cheap option even when accounting for wages.

Photo: Action Images

SalisburySaint added 08:10 - Jul 23 Lallana i believe still has a house at Ringwood, so this could make a return to Saints a bit more attactive, especially as he'd be back near family if wages not too excessive i'd take him back, he'd useful addition to squad and alternatve for either Armstrong or Redmond should the need arrise.
-5

saintlee added 08:13 - Jul 23 Maybe on a pay as you play deal. Very injury prone but may be a useful option. Personally can't see it happening though.
-1

redandwhitedee added 08:17 - Jul 23 Why high wages ? He has no other income as from next week. Is 32 years old, not a current international, and attracting interest apparently only from bottom half table teams. Anyway if we pay no fee for him, then can afford a fair wage. We do need a bit of experience in the squad, he suits a high pressing game, and we do need a bit of creativity off the bench.
-4

sandywelsh added 09:25 - Jul 23 He threw his toys out of the pram when he left. No thanks tell him to do one!!!!!
3

saintmark1976 added 09:36 - Jul 23 An injury prone ageing player with past history. What could possibly go wrong?
8

SanMarco added 09:52 - Jul 23 Needs to be judged purely on football terms. My view is no due to the injuries and lack of game time. Is this guy going to kick off in September as a good quality first team regular worth a very high wage? I don't see it. His behaviour six years ago was annoying but in terms of footballing glory he hasn't done much since. He wasn't a real part of winning the league or European Cup and we had our best seasons in decades AFTER he left...I doubt there is much chance of this anyway but if there is then no for me.

12

highfield49 added 10:28 - Jul 23 He's just what Bournemouth need next season, high wage, injury prone yesterday man. No thank you.
4

ExiledSupporter added 12:18 - Jul 23 Highly talented player with the capability to play accurate and inventive passes from the centre of the field plus a good goal return, just what we have missed since he left. Armstrong, Lallana and Redmond with Romeu lying deep as the holding player works for me. In that sense he would be a replacement for PEH who pressed forward much of the time. Both Ings and Adams and Long would be more effective players with AL forcing defenders to turn abruptly with our forwards on their shoulder. Okay his age and injury record is not all that good, but Ings also has a poor injury history and we paid c£20m for him, with Lallana there's no fee. Go for it...but I'm doubtful if there is much truth in this story!

0

perazi added 12:24 - Jul 23 Won't happen.....nor should it. Harry Reed is a perfect replacement for PEH.
8

schatfield added 13:09 - Jul 23 Probably wont happen cos of his age more than anything, but would love it if he did come. Reed, Oriel, etc are all good players but true creative players don't grow on trees, and he already has the high press Klopp way of working in him; would slot in nicely. Let's hope the pull of his fam entice him back to Soton.
-2

kevleykeegle added 13:35 - Jul 23 sandywelsh - '...he threw his toys out of the pram...' Glad that you have a far more mature approach.
-1

saintpete01 added 16:03 - Jul 23 No Thanks
1

allsaint54 added 16:22 - Jul 23 No, no, no
3

NewburySaint added 21:57 - Jul 23 Same response as always from me.....no thank you.
2

underweststand added 08:30 - Jul 26 Unlike some on this site, I do not bear Lallana any ill will (because of the manner of his departure), however, he was not the only player to panic and want away after Pochettino had jumped ship, and I think all the rancour was a tad unfair towards a player who'd given 12 years to the club and had a desire and ability to play "at a higher level". Also unlike some others .. I do not think that "ambition" is a dirty word, but the old adage " never go back" is good advice - and in Lallana's case it is probably the best advice. At 32 , he is not Steven Davis - who gave much to the Saints side and played week in and week out - AND clocked up 100+ international games - all with the minimum of injuries. Like Jay Rod and Danny Ings, AL has had his injury problems but it does not mean that he can't regain full fitness and contribute something positive to another Prem. side. Finally I do agree that it maybe unsuitable for him to return - if for no other reason than it would block the path of Smallbone and other youngsters who are on the way up.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Exeter City Polls