Liverpool's £18 Million Dejan Lovren Offer Rejected By Saints

Nigel French/PA Archive/Press Association ImagesLiverpool have had a £17 million bid for Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren rejected, according to Team Talk. The Croatia international is reportedly keen to link up once more with former teammates Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert following the duo's moves to Anfield earlier this summer, but the Saints have snubbed the Red's opening bid. It is understood the south coast club are holding out for £25 million for the defender. Lovren joined Southampton from Lyon in an £8.5 million deal last June and, despite being presented with the opportunity to make a profit on the 24-year-old, have decided to hold firm and wait for a better offer. The Saints have previously played hard ball in the transfer market this summer, only allowing Luke Shaw to join Manchester United once they received a £27 million fee. Then, Southampton executive director Les Reed said he hoped the price of Shaw's transfer - who became one of the world's most expensive defenders - would "send out a message to other clubs wishing to bid for our players." Liverpool have spent £35 million already this summer on Lallana, Lambert and Emre Can, but it appears as though they'll have to spend a little more if they are to land Lovren.