I wonder, should we read anything into the fact that the Guardian has (if I remember correctly) been the initial source of both the "Saints reject Shaw bid" and this? Could be wrong on that, but I'm curious whether they may be getting this stuff straight from the source.
Guardian is the most reliable paper when it comes to transfer studies. For something to be printed by them it has to be backed by the very BEST and most stringent sources.
In this case the writer is Andy Hunter, a Everton fan btw, so he will have received this info straight from Ian Ayre's (the ceo) mouth.
It seems the leaks on this are coing frvm the Liverpool side. If you want to stay up to date with these 'leaks' you need to keep an eye out for the following Journalists. They'll have something in the next few days without doubt:
James Pearce (Liverpool Echo)
Andy Hunter (The Guardian)
Chris Bascombe (The Telegraph)
Tony Barrett (The Times)
and lesser so; Dominic King (Daily Mail - **** paper but he's in the loop RE: LFC)
These guys get briefed by the very top at LFC regularly off the record so you can pretty much trust that whatever they report is definitely what LFC have said - however that doesn't mean its impartial and totally true, LFC, like EVERY club, wi8ll leak stuff thats has their own slant on it obviously.
From my long experience the latest leak to Hunter at the GUardian is to put pressure on Lallana and his Agent and make them know if he wants his big move - which LFC are adamant he wants more than any other club - he's going to have to force it his end by telling Southampton he's "determined to leave to Liverpool this Summer and nobody else". Ayre will have, without doubt, told Lallana's Agent that the deadline for this to happen is the start of the World Cup (although I doubt Ayre will actually mean this).
This is more or less done now in my opinion and experience barring a sudden change of heart from the player. All thats happening now is haggling over the final fee, which will probably be agreed around £25m.
