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The World Cup didn't go quite as planned for Southampton's Adam Lallana, who was expected by many to play a significant role in Roy Hodgson's squad. With the former Liverpool manager unwilling to displace the ineffective Wayne Rooney or Danny Welbeck, however, Lallana was left to play a bit part until their meaningless finale against Costa Rica. Underwhelming, perhaps, but that disappointment should be offset today with a deal reportedly agreed to bring the midfielder to Merseyside.
Talks had stalled prior to the World Cup, and while rumors that the deal would be abandoned completely never quite rang true, things did look as though they'd drag out for most of the summer. Not so, according to multiple sources, including James Pearce at the Liverpoool Echo:
#LFC have agreed a fee of around £25m with Southampton for midfielder Adam Lallana. Player on his way to Melwood for medical.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) June 27, 2014
That price matches Liverpool's "take it or leave it" final offer from the week leading up to the World Cup, which at least represents a willingness on the club's part to stick to their offer. For that price they're getting an impact player right now, and one who improves not only the squad as a whole, but the starting eleven. Assuming the medical goes smoothly, Liverpool could be set to announce their third deal of the summer, with reports of more to follow in the coming weeks.
