Nathaniel Clyne likely will join Liverpool’s summer influx of reinforcements.
Southampton has accepted Liverpool’s £12.5 million ($20 million) transfer bid for Clyne, The Liverpool Echo and The Telegraph reported Thursday. Southampton has granted Clyne permission to negotiate a contract with Liverpool, and discussions are moving swiftly toward a successful completion of the transfer, according to James Pearce and Ben Smith.
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Liverpool offered £10 million ($15.7 million) for Clyne last month, but Southampton rejected the Reds’ bid. Liverpool returned this week with the higher offer, which was close enough to the price Southampton wanted for Clyne.
Clyne, 24, has developed into a highly rated right back in the Premier League since joining Southampton from Crystal Palace in 2012. Clyne played 41 games in all competitions last season and earned himself a place on England’s national team.
Many view Clyne as a replacement for Glen Johnson, who left Liverpool after the 2014-15 season as a free agent. Clyne can support Liverpool’s attack, but his greatest strength is disrupting opponents’ forward raids.
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If Liverpool completes Clyne’s transfer, he will be the Reds’ sixth signing of the summer. Danny Ings, James Milner, Joe Gomez and Adam Bogdan will join Liverpool on July 1. Roberto Firmino will join shortly after, subject to him acquiring a work permit and passing a physical exam.
Clyne will find a trio of familiar faces at Anfield. Former Southampton teammates Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lambert joined Liverpool last summer.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SkyFootball
