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The new Southampton boss still hopes to have the wantaway Croatia international in his squad for the upcoming season despite the two clubs nearing an agreement over a transfer

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman insists the club have yet to receive an official offer from Liverpool for Dejan Lovren.

The centre-back is expected to leave the club after publicly admitting his "head was already at Liverpool" after seeing a previous bid from the Anfield outfit rejected, which he claims was worth £20 million.

11/2 Southampton are 11/2 with bet365 to be relegated this season
Goal understands Brendan Rodgers has made a breakthrough in his pursuit of the Croatia international, but Koeman insists the club have never recieved an offer from Liverpool despite Lovren's claims.

"We have had no bid from Liverpool for Lovren, that is the situation," Koeman told reporters. "If that does not change, he will continue to play at Southampton.


Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar has been mooted as a possible replacement for Lovren at the heart of Southampton's defence but Koeman refused to speculate on the Netherlands international.

"I know [Vlaar] from when he was playing at Feyenoord. It depends on the [Lovren] situation but we will decide who we bring in. There are a lot of rumours in football and I can do nothing about that."



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