Liverpool have matched a £20M 'exit clause' for Dejan Lovren according to Southampton's local newspaper.
According to the Southern Daily Echo, Lovren has no intention of returning to pre-season training at the club after having handed in a transfer request.
The Croatian defender signed for Saints last summer for £8.5M and it is his understanding that he would be allowed to leave if a £20M offer arrived.
The paper went on to indicate that LFC have offered this figure but Southampton have rejected it.
Lovren is not due to return to pre-season training for a couple of weeks due to his involvement in the World Cup. The Yugoslav-born player has been capped 28 times for Croatia and was a key member of the World Cup squad who finished third in Group A behind Brazil and Mexico.
Liverpool believe that Lovren, alongside £18M Mamadou Sakho, could form a formidable centre-back partnership in the years ahead. Martin Skrtel turns 30 later this year.