Adam Lallana, who is due to leave Liverpool in the coming weeks when his short contract extension runs out, has emerged as a surprise target for local rivals Everton.
At 32 and with bags of experience, the former England man has plenty of suitors and Leicester, Burnley and Brighton have also expressed their interest in recent weeks.
However, according to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath – Liverpool’s cross Stanley Park rivals who are also hoping to sign the midfielder.
After six years and 178 appearances, Lallana will leave the Reds at the end of July, after remaining with the club in a training-only capacity to finish the extended season. His time on Merseyside will culminate, however, with a Premier League trophy lift at Anfield.
McGrath describes the tussle for Lallana’s signature as a “four-way fight” between Everton, Burnley, Brighton and Leicester, where he could make a reunion with former Reds’ boss, Brendan Rodgers.
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Should Lallana make the switch to the champions’ bitter rivals, he would join the likes of Gary Ablett, Nicky Barmby and Abel Xavier on the list of the players who have represented both clubs on either side of the park.
Lallana will have plenty of well-wishers when he moves on from Liverpool, but that might not be the case if he does move to Everton.
His time at Anfield has at times been blighted by injury but there is little doubt, however, that when fit, he gave his all to the Liverpool cause.
However, if he moved to Everton, he might lose some of those well-wishers so hopefully, he chooses to go elsewhere so he doesn’t sour his reputation.
