Lost Lov? Barcelona rival Liverpool for £15m Southampton defender Dejan Lovren

Posted Saturday, June 14, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

LIVERPOOL will face competition from Spanish giants Barcelona in the race to sign unsettled Southampton defender Dejan Lovren.

Lost Lov? Barcelona rival Liverpool for £15m Southampton defender Dejan Lovren
BATTLE: Barcelona have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Southampton defender Dejan Lovren

Earlier this week Lovren submitted a transfer request in a bid to force through a move away from Southampton.

Lovren, who played in Croatia's 3-1 defeat to Brazil in the opening match of the World Cup last night, wants to join a club involved in next season's Champions League.

Liverpool are leading the chase for the 24-year-old centre-back and it has been suggested he is keen on a switch to Anfield.

But according to reports in Spain, Barcelona will step up their interest in Lovren this summer having been hugely impressed by the reports gathered by the club's scouts.

Lost Lov? Barcelona rival Liverpool for £15m Southampton defender Dejan Lovren
WORLD STAR: Lovren played as Croatia lost their opening World Cup match to Brazil

Lovren, a £8.5m acquisition from Lyon, enjoyed a superb debut season in England helping Southampton achieve their best Premier League finish of eighth-place.

But after the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino as well as the sale of striker Rickie Lambert to Liverpool, Lovren is eager to follow suit in exiting St Mary's.

Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana are also expected to leave this summer with Southampton struggling to prevent an exodus of their star players.

Barcelona's interest in Lovren is likely to come as a concern for Liverpool, who up until now had been confident of securing him in a £15m deal.