Liverpool Handed Massive Boost in Signing Southampton Star Adam Lallana

Liverpool have been encouraged in their bid to sign Manchester United midfield target Adam Lallana after the Southampton star expressed his desire to feature in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old has been a transfer target for the Old Trafford outfit along with his club and country teammate Luke Shaw. The Merseyside club are also keen on acquiring Lallana's services and are believed to have taken a lead in landing him.

Brendan Rodgers is reportedly set to seal Lallana's deal this week by making a £20m approach. Liverpool have been handed a massive boost in bringing the England international to Anfield after the player revealed his desire to play Europe's elite club competition.

The Reds finished second in the league table and will make it directly into the group stages of the Champions League next season. United will not feature in the European competition next season. A move to Anfield will help Lallana fulfil his Champions League ambitions.

"I'm certainly ambitious. I want to one day play in the Champions League and compete for the Premier League title but I still feel like I'm the same guy I was when we were playing in League One and the Championship," Lallana explained.

"Every fan would realise that there's big potential in our team and we have players who can go and play at a higher level. We proved that when there were 16 of our lads away on international duty."

Lallana has been in fine form for the Saints this season, scoring nine goals and registering six assists in 38 league appearances. His brilliant run has seen him bag both the players' and fans' Player of the Year Award. The England midfielder was overjoyed to bag both the accolades.

"Getting the fans' award was the icing on the cake because I've had a great relationship with them for the last seven-or-eight years. I'm almost lost for words when I speak about it because it makes me feel really proud," Southampton midfielder said.

"I got emotional because it's been a journey that I couldn't have even dreamed of but I'm not saying that this is the end by any means."

The Saints star has been picked up by Roy Hodgson for the England national team for the summer World Cup in Brazil. Alongside his club teammate Shaw, he has made it to the 23-man shortlist announced on Monday.