Liverpool have tabled a £20million bid for Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana.

The Reds made their move on Monday as Brendan Rodgers looks to tie up a deal for his No 1 summer transfer target.

Saints are likely to hold out for a fee of around £25million but they are increasingly resigned to losing Lallana, who has been named in England's World Cup squad.

Publicly, Southampton have insisted they are under no pressure to sell their prized assets this summer.

But the ECHO understands the Hampshire club owe around £27m in outstanding transfer fees, as well as a loan to owner Katharina Liebherr for training ground renovations, meaning the departures of Lallana and Manchester United target Luke Shaw are increasingly likely.

Lallana's capture would represent a significant coup for Liverpool. Manchester United are also in the hunt for his signature but the player, despite being a boyhood Evertonian, has made it clear he wants to make the switch to Anfield instead.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer of the 26-year-old, and believes his talent and ability to play in a number of positions across the attacking line would make him a perfect addition to his squad.

St Albans-born Lallana started out at Bournemouth's Centre of Excellence before being snapped up by Southampton at the age of 12.

He made his first-team debut against Yeovil Town in the League Cup in August 2006 and had a spell on loan at Bournemouth in 2007/08 before establishing himself as a Saints regular the following campaign.

He helped Southampton claim back to back promotions as he was named in the League One team of the year in 2010-11 and the Championship team of the year in 2011-12.

He scored 13 goals as they booked their passage to the Premier League.

A fine season was rewarded in April 2013 when he penned a new five-year contract and this season he has taken his game to another level, scoring 10 goals and giving six assists.

Voted Southampton's Player of the Year, he was also shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award and was named alongside clubmate Shaw in the PFA Team of the Year.

Source: Liverpool Echo