Liverpool have taken their summer spending to the £40m mark after completing the signing of Adam Lallana from Southampton.
The 26-year-old travelled to Merseyside to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical on Friday after Southampton accepted Liverpool’s final £25m offer for their club captain. Bournemouth, where Lallana played until he was 12, will bank around £6.25m from the midfielder’s transfer as they were due 25% of any future sell-on fee.
Lallana becomes Liverpool’s third signing of what promises to be a hectic summer, irrespective of Luis Suárez’s future, following the £4.5m capture of former Southampton striker Rickie Lambert and a £9.85m deal for Emre Can. The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder will formally complete his move to Anfield later on Tuesday after the transfer window officially opened.
Lallana spent 14 years at Southampton, rising through to the Premier League from League One, and admits becoming a full England international and now moving to Anfield has not sunk in. The attacking midfielder said: “To think, five or six years ago, I was playing in League One. But it’s a reality that we’ve climbed up the leagues and done so well. I’d like to think I’m here on merit, I think I’ve earned it. I just can’t wait to keep improving, playing with world-class players and a lot of England team-mates as well, which I’m also looking forward to so much. It’s going to be a great new chapter in my life.”
Lallana was identified as a primary target for the Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, at the end of last season, when his side finished second to Manchester City in the Premier League. After a protracted bidding process, held up by the midfielder’s involvement at the World Cup and Southampton’s change of manager, the Reds boss now has his man.
“We are delighted to have secured the services of one of the Premier League’s top talents in signing Adam Lallana,” Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com. “What is apparent about Adam is that his character is on a par with his talent.
“He is an exceptional young man and someone who has a love for the game – and, most importantly, a desire to progress and improve. Adam is motivated by being the best he can be and being part of something special. We believe he fits right in with what we are trying to do at Liverpool.
“We have seen, over the past two seasons in the Premier League, he has a tactical awareness to adapt to what is required of him and to put the team above his personal ambitions. He has leadership skills and personal qualities that make him a special commodity and I am delighted we have acted decisively to make sure he is wearing a Liverpool shirt next season.
“Adam is aware there will be great competition for places at this club and he is hungry to improve further. We are confident he will fit perfectly with the culture we have at Liverpool. I’m excited about working with Adam and helping him to progress even further.”
Rodgers is also pursuing Benfica’s £25m-rated Lazar Markovic and Lille’s Belgium international striker Divock Origi as he looks to bolster Liverpool’s options ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.
