Liverpool closer to £15m-rated Nathaniel Clyne as Southampton sign Soares as replacement

Cedric Soares has joined Southampton from Sporting Lisbon

Southampton have confirmed the signing of Sporting Lisbon right-back Cedric Soares as they prepare for life without defender Nathaniel Clyne. The Saints beat competition from Stoke City to secure the signing of Soares in a £3.5 million deal, their second signing this summer after the capture of 22-year-old Spain striker Juanmi.

Despite this, Southampton will only let Clyne leave, if a bid of £15 million comes in from Liverpool. The Reds had earlier placed a bid of £10 million, which was immediatley rejected by the Saints. Brendan Rodgers is looking for a right-back after Glen Johnson was released by the club.

The Crystal Palace academy graduate has been offered a contract extension by Southampton, but hasn’t accepted the offer so far, giving rise to speculation that he sees his future away from the club.

Clyne has enjoyed steady progress in his career with Southampton. The dynamic right-back has been an important player for the Saints and will no doubt be a major loss for them, should Liverpool sign him. He made his full international debut for England against Slovenia last year.

Liverpool inch closer to Nathaniel Clyne signing as Southampton move to sign another right-back

The Reds already boast of 3 former Southampton players in the form of Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana. They have signed James Milner, Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan this summer and have to decide quickly on Clyne, as Manchester United have also been linked with the 24-year-old defender.