Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne will no longer take the field as part of the home squad at St. Mary’s Stadium, with sources telling multiple media outlets that the 24-year-old will undergo a medical ahead of his transfer to Liverpool.
The Reds are aiming to dish out a $19.62 million (£12.5 million) fee for his services.
Clyne made his name known as one of the top defenders in the Premier League, and since Jon Flanagan is out with long-term injury and Glen Johnson will leave at the end of his contract, the need for a right back put the addition of Clyne in Brendan Rodgers’ sights.
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The England international rejected a contract to extend his tenure with the Saints, and his transfer away seemed very plausible considering his current contract, inked when he came from Crystal Palace in 2012, runs until the summer of 2016.
Manchester United was said to be a strong contender for Clyne’s signature but ultimately focused their attention elsewhere.
Southampton’s board, knowing this Anfield exit was nearing, brought in Sporting Lisbon defender Cedric Soares.
If the medical is passed, Clyne will join the other transfer acquisitions of Liverpool this summer: James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Adam Bogdan, Danny Ings and Joe Gomez. Firmino has costed the most out of this bunch, his move amounting to a $45.54 million (£29 million) payment. Arriving as free transfers, Milner and Bodgan have required the least amount of financial compensation.
