Southampton: Adam Lallana keen on Saints return from Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana is reportedly keen on a return to former side Southampton this summer.

According to a report from the Express, he has told family members that he is ready move back to the South Coast and favours a potential £13m transfer back to his previous side.

The 31-year-old left St Mary’s back in 2014 in a £27m move and was one of five important first-team players to leave Saints during that transfer window.

Lallana had been the club’s captain and made 260 appearances after progressing through the Saints academy setup.

His early days at Liverpool saw him become an important player within Jurgen Klopp’s squad, but he made just six starts in 2018/19 after suffering injury problems.

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With Saints looking to add quality to their ranks this summer, looking at Lallana would make sense considering the ability that he has.

However, committing significant funds towards a 31-year-old may not fit with their recruitment policy under Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Many of the players that have been linked to Saints since the Austrian took charge in December are much younger and have more potential to grow with the club should they join.

One thing that Lallana would add is an ability to play the high-pressing football that the current Saints boss likes to play.

His best season on the South Coast came in 2013/14 under Mauricio Pochettino when that style of play led a talented side to an eighth-placed finish.

Joining Liverpool also saw him integrated into a similar style very successfully under Klopp – and Hasenhuttl has been compared to the Reds boss in terms of their footballing philosophies.

If Lallana did return to St Mary’s, Saints fans would have no choice but to support him when he ran out for their side.

However, the way in which he left the club originally may mean that his reception is a mixed one.

With other targets also supposedly being lined up and current players to be moved out, Saints have some significant decisions to be made before August.