SOUTHAMPTON REJECT LIVERPOOL'S £20M BID FOR LOVREN

Southampton have rejected a £20m offer from Liverpool for their Croatia international defender Dejan Lovren.

The 24-year-old, who joined the South Coast club from Lyon for £8.5m last summer, has asked to leave St Mary's 12 months into a four-year contract.

Saints do not want to part with another key player having sold Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert to Liverpool, and Luke Shaw to Manchester United.

Lovren is on holiday after playing for Croatia at the World Cup in Brazil.

Liverpool signed 32-year-old striker Lambert for £4m in June, with Saints captain Lallana, 26, joining the Anfield club for £25m on 1 July.

Left-back Shaw, 18, moved to Old Trafford four days earlier, his move earning Southampton £27m.