Rumour: Manchester United set sights on Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana

Adam Lallana (R)

The Daily Star report that Manchester United are set to make a move for Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana. The midfielder has shone since Southampton’s promotion to the Premier League in 2012, culminating in international recognition earlier this season. The Star report that Manchester United manager David Moyes is willing to pay a fee of £15 million to prise Lallana from his boyhood club, in a move to plug United’s midfield gaps.

Such a move would be the latest chapter in the meteoric rise of Lallana, who was playing in League One as recently as 2011. Having made his Saints debut aged just 18, Lallana was a mainstay in the side that secured back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League. He made 30 league appearances last season and has further built upon this form this season. Contributing four goals to Southampton’s impressive early season form, including the late equaliser at Old Trafford, Lallana won his first England cap against Chile last month.

United’s midfield problems are well documented, with summer signing Maroune Fellaini yet to set the world alight since his £27 million move from Everton. Should United decide that Lallana is the man to fill the creative role that his team is lacking then Lallana would also not come cheap. He is under contract at Southampton – the club that he has been at for the entirety of his career – until 2018, and is also captain of the side.

Lallana has created 28 chances this season, 32% of which have come from inside the penalty area.