Southampton are reportedly bracing themselves for a summer bid from Liverpool for their highly-rated defender Dejan Lovren.

Boss Brendan Rodgers first considered a move for the centre-back in the last close season before he ended up joining the Saints from Lyon in an £8.5million deal.

However, the Croatian international has been a revelation at St Mary's, enjoying a fine season and establishing himself as one of the Premier League's best defensive players.

Rodgers is determined to improve his side's defence next term as he looks to make the title contenders even stronger at both ends of the pitch and Lovren would certainly fit the bill in terms of achieving that objective.

The 24-year-old is also believed to be on Manchester United's wish-list, but the guarantee of Champions League may give Liverpool the edge if the two clubs enter into a bidding war for a player whose valued will have doubled since last June.

Source: ClubCall