Dejan Lovren the latest to jump the sinking Southampton ship to join Liverpool

[Dinpomp]

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/311507.html

Pochettino out to hijack Liverpool bids for Saints duo

ESPN staff
May 30, 2014


New Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking to beat Liverpool to the signings of his former Southampton players Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana.

Pochettino was appointed as Spurs' new boss on Tuesday on a five-year contract after resigning from Southampton.


And the Argentinian is targeting the signings of his former captain Lallana and centre-back Lovren.

Southampton are already in talks with Liverpool over a £20 million bid from Liverpool for Lallana.

But the club value Lallana close to £30m and Tottenham, according to the Guardian, will be hoping to convince Lallana to join them to team up with Pochettino once again.

Liverpool have also reportedly offered £8m for Lovren, but Pochettino reportedly wants the Croatian to follow him to White Hart Lane.

Lovren joined Southampton last year from Lyon on a four-year deal and is quoted by The Sun as saying: "The only thing I can say right now is that the club is the one who decides."

*****

I see Lallana already has a thread, so only named this one after Lovren.

 

[Dinpomp]

Lovren Comp:




Lovren vs. Swansea:




Lovren vs. Everton:

 

[Spursh]

Southampton reportedly paid £8.5m for Lovren, so I doubt they'll be accepting less than that a year on after an impressive campaign from the defender.

I think Southampton will be hoping for £13-14m, which is a fair amount nowadays for a 24 year old who's proved he is up to the PL challenge.

 

[Snuzzy]

£30m for Lallana? good grief

I can believe our interest in Lovren as we have bid for him before, back in his Dinamo Zagreb days.

 

[Ledleys Knee]

Southampton reportedly paid £8.5m for Lovren, so I doubt they'll be accepting less than that a year on after an impressive campaign from the defender.

I think Southampton will be hoping for £13-14m, which is a fair amount nowadays for a 24 year old who's proved he is up to the PL challenge.

He'd be a snip for under £15m. Excellent CB too.

 

[spacessships]

He'd be a snip for under £15m. Excellent CB too.

Except against us in the second Southampton game this season.

 

[DiamondLites]

Lovren would be an ideal Vertonghen replacement/partner

He's the only Soton player I'd actively pursue

 

[rocklink]

How about lovren's partner Fonte ??

 

[EQP]

Looks like Vlad and Dawson are off. Wouldn't mind Verts/Lovren/Kaboul/ Left Footed Cb/

Zeki + Milos back ups.

 

[dondo]

Except against us in the second Southampton game this season.

And the 1st

 

[dondo]

Lovren would be an ideal Vertonghen replacement/partner

He's the only Soton player I'd actively pursue

I think they would get bullied as a CB partnership in the EPL big time

 

[DaSpurs]

I think they would get bullied as a CB partnership in the EPL big time

Interesting. Care to elaborate why you believe this?

 

[Tyler24durden]

Would love both of them personally.

Also want to keep chiriches.

 

[dondo]

Interesting. Care to elaborate why you believe this?

I think thet are both the type of CB who need to play with a more physical defender like kaboul or Dawson. A lot of teams in the EPL would target our defence with route 1 football and a lot of high ball into the box with them 2 at centre back

 

[DaSpurs]

I think thet are both the type of CB who need to play with a more physical defender like kaboul or Dawson. A lot of teams in the EPL would target our defence with route 1 football and a lot of high ball into the box with them 2 at centre back

Sound reasoning indeed.

However, I think that becomes less of a problem in Poch's system. Due to the high and active press, there's much more field for the CB's to cover than simply the box and their responsibility of covering it is largely is after opponents find a way through and with the counter. We'll need two quick CB's capable of meeting the countering ground threat much more likely than we'll need a brute in the box to ensure clearance.

However, I do agree that we could use a stronger, more solid CB as an option. Exactly who we'll find I'm not sure, but I wouldn't mind going after one of the CB's from a smaller Prem team who wouldn't mind somewhat less minutes for a salary raise and the chance to play for a big club.

 

[Barry Mead]

I always liked him at Lyon, he made a few mistakes there too and he's made a few in the PL but that's natural for a player changing leagues and adjusting but consistently he shows his qualities as a CB far more than the odd mistake, so I think he's be a solid addition, especially with concerns over Eunice and with Chiriches looking a possibility to leave

 

[Ledleys Knee]

Looks like Vlad and Dawson are off. Wouldn't mind Verts/Lovren/Kaboul/ Left Footed Cb/

Zeki + Milos back ups.

I'd be very confident Chiriches and Dawson will still be here next season.

Kaboul is the one that I think is at risk - injury doubts and no contract extension.

 

[DaSpurs]

I'd be very confident Chiriches and Dawson will still be here next season.

Kaboul is the one that I think is at risk - injury doubts and no contract extension.

I agree Kaboul is the most likely to go, but I can't say I feel confidently sure any of them will be here in the fall. I wouldn't be surprised if interest from Italy for Vlad is genuine given circumstances, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Levy get a return on Dawson before it's entirely too late (and I think Prem clubs will be interested such as Palace or Hull).

 

[Dinpomp]

Lovren was pushed off the ball (FAR) too easily for that goal vs. Spurs (2nd game), but overall he's very much a physical defender. That's one of the reasons why he has adapted to the English game so well. He goes hard into the tackle (sometimes too hard) and is commanding in the air. That's the combination he brings. Strong/aggressive in the tackle, but calm on the ball.

His problems mainly were down to lapses in concentration. But those have become less and less frequent (although sure enough he had a lapse - or two - vs. Spurs of all teams this season).

He has always looked like a top CB in the making. This season he showcased that (again, for the most part). Ask Gary Neville (for one).

 

[Scot-Spur]

Someone on saints web just posted that we will finalise a deal for Lovren in the next few days!

Check out the thread on saints web...