Saints want more money.
Southampton have rejected a £20m bid from Liverpool for Croatian centre-back Dejan Lovren, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The 24-year-old has handed in a transfer request and is keen to follow former Saints teammates Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana to Anfield.
Lovren had apparently struck a gentleman’s agreement with Southampton that the club would allow him to leave if £20m was bid for his services.
However, the South Coast club now appear to be holding out for more money for a player that cost them £8.5m when he joined from Lyon last summer.
Lovren is said to be fuming by Southampton’s decision to reject Liverpool’s offer.
He is currently on holiday following Croatia’s exit from the FIFA World Cup and is due back at Southampton for pre-season training on July 21.
However, he could chose to stay away in protest, despite being warned that such a decision could result in a hefty fine.
Lovren starred 31 Premier League games for Southampton last season.
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