Saints boss Ronald Koeman tells Liverpool they will have to increase their bid for Dejan Lovren if they want to sign the defender this summer.
Saints have rejected two offers from the Reds for the defender during the transfer window, with reports in his homeland of Croatia at the weekend suggesting a deal had now been agreed. However, Koeman says no new bid has been received – although he made it clear the club are willing to part ways with the disenchanted centre back if the price is right.
"If they are interested, they have to come with a bid, and a good one, and then we can speak about that, because the player likes to move. Players have to be happy in Southampton – they have to fight for the colours of Southampton and, if not, ok, but always if there is a good bid on the table. In the last week there is no contact, and that’s strange because there is a lot of rumours about that.”
Lovren was absent from last night’s 1-0 win at Swindon through injury, and Koeman added: “He said to me when he gets that possibility he would like to move. Ok, on the one side I can understand it. On the other side, as a manager, I like to work with the players who are happy in Southampton, and I don’t work with the players who are not happy.”
Koeman has been linked with a move for Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar if Lovren does go, but despite being quoted as saying he was an option, the Dutchman said he has not spoken about him. “These are rumours. I didn’t say anything about Ron Vlaar. I only said I know him as a player. He’s a good player, but maybe we need one of them when Lovren left the club, but still there is no bid in the last week from Liverpool, and normally he will continue.”
