Liverpool transfer news: Liverpool no closer to securing a deal with Southampton but remain keen on signing Adam Lallana this summer

Lallana is the priority signing at Anfield this summer as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his side for next seasons Champions League return

Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana is a reported £20m target for Liverpool (Getty Images)

Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana remains a priority summer signing for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers but progress on any deal has been slow.

It is understood that discussions are ongoing with the Saints over the possibility of a move but they are not yet close to agreeing a fee and no conclusion is likely in the near future.

The Reds, who are also interested in Lallana's team-mate Dejan Lovren, are keen to take the 26-year-old England international to Anfield but are considering alternatives should they reach a sticking point.

Closer to home Liverpool have also reached an impasse with Glen Johnson over an extension to his contract as the defender approaches the final year of his current deal.

It is understood the right-back, who turns 30 in August, has been offered the opportunity to stay for an additional 12 months but the England international is looking for a longer-term contract.

Johnson is one of the highest earners in the squad and the club do not want to commit significant finances to a lengthier deal and are content to allow his contract to run down should no agreement by reached.

There is no likelihood, however, that fellow England full-back Ashley Cole will be linking up with his international team-mate at Anfield after the 33-year-old admitted on Monday he is unlikely to stay at Chelsea following the expiration of his contract and is considering his options.

Liverpool have an interest in Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm to provide competition for Simon Mignolet while they are also tracking Bayer Leverkusen's Germany Under-21 midfielder Emre Can, although any approach is complicated by the buy-back clause held by former club Bayern Munich.

The club are putting the final touches to Rodgers' own contract, however, after the Northern Irishman said he would sign a new, improved deal once the season was over having guided the club to second in the Premier League.

PA