Liverpool Launch Formal Move For Key Manchester United Target

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Liverpool have a bid rejected by Southampton for Nathaniel Clyne….

Liverpool are readying a fresh offer after seeing their opening £10m bid for Manchester United target Nathaniel Clyne rejected by Southampton, according to the Telegraph.

Clyne is set to enter the final year of his Saints contract and with terms over an extension yet to be agreed, the defender is expected to leave the club this summer as Ronald Koeman wont want to see him walk away for nothing in 12 months time.

Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for the 24-year-old in recent months with widespread reports suggesting they have held lengthy negotiations with Southampton and are in pole position to secure Clyne’s signature this summer.

However, it seems United’s interest has cooled somewhat in recent weeks and this has opened the door for Liverpool to try and hijack the proposed deal and it appears they’ve now made an official approach for the full-back.

The Telegraph are one of several newspapers who are reporting today that the Merseysiders have seen an opening £10m offer rejected by the Saints but they are expected to return with an improved bid soon.

With Glen Johnson set to leave when his contract expires next month, Brendan Rodgers is on the look-out for a new right-back and it looks as though Clyne has emerged as the Northern Irishman’s top target.

The 24-year-old has developed into one of the best full-back’s in the Premier League over the past 18 months and his impressive displays at St Mary’s have seen him establish himself as Roy Hodgson’s first choice right-back in recent international games.

Should Liverpool be successful in landing Clyne, he would become the fourth player to join the club from Southampton in the last 12 months after Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert all made the move to Anfield last summer.

However, I still wouldn’t discount United from this race just yet. Louis van Gaal is also in need of a quality right-back as he’s shown no faith in Rafael since joining the club and Antonio Valencia has been forced to fill-in at the back.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

Liverpool’s early move for Clyne could prompt United to step-up their interest in the player and I’m sure van Gaal would be confident of luring him to Old Trafford now they have Champions League football to offer.

It’s certainly going to be interesting to see where Clyne ends up this summer so we’ll keep an eye out for any further developments over the coming days…..