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Nathaniel Clyne to Liverpool: Southampton defender linked to Anfield switch but Reds yet to meet Saints' £15m valuation

Manchester United appeared favourites to sign Clyne but Liverpool have pressed on with reports of a second £12m bid for the Southampton defender

Jack de Menezes

Friday 19 June 2015 12:21 BST

Nathaniel Clyne has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Manchester United (Getty Images)

Liverpool are believed to be closing in on Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne, but will have to free up £15m if the want to land the England international.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from St Mary’s this summer with both Liverpool and Manchester United believed to be interested in his services, but reports suggest that Brendan Rodgers has stolen a march on his rival Louis van Gaal with the Reds in pole position to sign the right-back.

Liverpool saw a £10m bid for Clyne immediately knocked back by Saints, who are determined to hold out for £15m if they are to let one of their many home-grown talents leave the club.

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

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1/7Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Felipe Anderson

The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed his breakthrough season in Italy this year, but that has alerted a number of clubs across Europe including Liverpool. The 22-year-old Brazilian is contracted to the Serie A club until 2020 and will therefore cost a significant amount if he were to move this summer, but it’s believed he has the potential to become one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world if he continues his steep development curve.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s pace merchant is finding it hard to break back into the first team after recovering from the ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for over a year. With doubts over his fitness, his suitability to the current Arsenal side and whether he’s a better option compared to his team-mates, rumours have linked him with a dramatic Arsenal exit. Liverpool would be one of the teams in for the England winger, who can also play in attack, and given that his speed can terrify any defence he would be a suitable option to replace Sterling.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Marco Reus

Any move for Reus appears to be hinged on firing Brendan Rodgers and hiring Jürgen Klopp, and given the noises coming out of Anfield, it’s unlikely to happen this summer. But if another transfer window goes belly-up, don’t be surprised to see Klopp at the club soon after with Reus in tow. The Germany international is a wonderfully gifted player who combines pace and skill to dazzle defences. He has struggled with a persistent ankle injury in recent months, but he would add a proven quality to the Liverpool ranks.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Divock Origi

Rodgers already knows one signing he will see arrive at Anfield in the summer as Belgium striker Divock Origi will complete the permanent move he agreed last year, having spent the season on loan with Lille. Rodgers could look to revert to the tactics he deployed last season when he had Luis Suarez to pair up with Daniel Sturridge, and although Origi is nowhere near the level Suarez was at present, the Northern Irishman will hope he has unearthed a gem when he arrives in the Premier League.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Alexandre Lacazette

The French forward is being courted by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but Liverpool could look to show a sign of intent by launching a bid for him before their rivals. Lacazette is equally adept at playing as a striker or out wide, and it would depend on how Rodgers would choose to deploy him to where he would feature. The France international has helped Lyon secure second in Ligue 1 and will finish the season as top goalscorers barring any heroics from Andre-Pierre Gignac, who trails by six goals.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Jeremy Menez

Menez’s brother and agent has fuelled talk of a move away from AC Milan by admitting he is likely to leave this summer, and even addressed rumours of a move to Liverpool as well as Monaco. However, at this point in time they are just rumours, and despite being able to play out wide he is more suited to an attacking role through the middle.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Ezequiel Lavezzi

The Argentine has fallen off the radar in recent months, but his future at Paris Saint-Germain remains far from certain and a move to the Premier League has always appeared on the cards. At home out wide on the wing, Lavezzi can also do a job up front, and would bring a physicality to the attack that is currently missing in Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Ibe.

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The Reds are believed to have made a secondary offer of around £12m, but will have to up their bid with a third offer if they are to begin talks with the former Crystal Palace player.

Clyne came through the ranks at Palace’s academy before joining Saints, and has since gone on to make the right-back berth at St Mary’s his own – culminating in a first England cap last year. Clyne has since gone to make seven appearances for his country, with the latest coming in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia last weekend, although he cut a frustrated figure after being overlooked in the first-team for United’s Phil Jones and only came on with minutes to go.

United are in the market for a right-back, having seen Rafael suffer a string of injuries and a drop in form that has forced them to play natural winger Antonio Valencia in a makeshift defensive role.

Rodgers has already signed three players this summer (GETTY IMAGES)

However, despite appearing favourites to sign Clyne a few weeks ago, United’s lack of movement has opened the door for Liverpool, who have already made three signings this summer in the form of James Milner, Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan.

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