Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana’s transfer fee to be bumped up by ex-club Bournemouth

Adam Lallana

Manchester United have been told they will not be able to snare Adam Lallana on the cheap due to a 25% sell-on clause in his contract from his signing from Bournemouth.

Southampton signed the newly capped England midfielder as a ten-year-old from the Championship club and a clause was inserted into the deal that ensured that a quarter of any future transfer fee would have to be forwarded on to the Cherries, reports the Mirror.

United have been pursuing Lallana for some time after a series of dazzling displays for the Saints this season and were preparing a bid to prize him away from their Premier League rivals in the summer.

The midfielder is one of many Southampton players that have caught the eye of clubs higher up the footballing pyramid this season and with the club having revealed some substantial debt, there is a feeling that one of their star men could be sold on, despite the protestations of the club to the contrary.

As Southampton are in need of the cash themselves, any bid for Lallana would be bumped up knowing that 25% of anything they receive for the fleet-footed attacker would have to be passed on to Bournemouth.

This may or may not deter United who have made £200 million available to spend on new players in the summer, with teammate Luke Shaw also believed to be on their hit-list.

Adam Lallana has created 62 chances for Southampton this season, claiming five assists in the process.