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'Lallana should give Southampton a little longer'

ESPN staff
June 18, 2014
Koeman announced as new Southampton manager

Liverpool target Adam Lallana has been told he should give more service to Southampton with the club claiming they deserve credit for the player he has become.

The England midfielder is wanted by Brendan Rodgers and is keen to move to Anfield but negotiations have stalled because, reportedly, Southampton are demanding a £30 million transfer fee.

After appointing Ronald Koeman as their new manager this week, the club have told their captain he should not be in such a rush to leave.

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Les Reed, Southampton's executive director, said: "Lallana's been here long enough, we've brought him to this level and we feel that perhaps he should give it a little bit longer.

"Anybody seriously considering coming for our players is going to have to think very significantly about the size of the fee," he added on BBC South Today. "If we do take money it will be because it's the right amount and it enables us to improve the team and move forward."

The signals from Southampton have suggested the club are seeking to drive a hard bargain, rather than ruling out sales categorically.

Striker Rickie Lambert has already been sold to Liverpool and even Koeman sounded unconvinced players such as Lallana, Manchester United target Luke Shaw and defender Dejan Lovren would be playing for him next season.

He said: "We know all about the rumours. The club and I will do everything to keep the best players, but finally that is the decision of the club.

"We need to continue what they [predecessor Mauricio Pochettino's management team] did, maybe to reach some more, to win prizes. Maybe one day to play in the European Cup, I think those have to be the next steps for Southampton. We will do that with everybody. That is important."

Koeman will work with brother Erwin and is understood Dutchman Ronald will take English lessons ahead of the club's pre-season campaign.

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