Southampton’s hopes of keeping full-back Nathaniel Clyne at the club appear to be over as Liverpool look set to sign him.

The Saints turned down an initial approach from Liverpool of £10million as they held out for more but the Reds are set to offer £15million which is widely thought to be the amount the St Mary’s outfit will accept.

Boss Ronald Koeman has already snapped up Portugal international right-back Cedric Soares from Sporting Lisbon to fill the void which will be created by Clyne’s summer departure from St Mary’s.

The Reds have been on the trail of the England right-back for several months and believe they have beaten off competition from elsewhere to land the 24-year-old, who would be a direct replacement for the released Glen Johnson at Anfield.

Manchester United did have an interest in Clyne but Liverpool are set to win the race for his services and a deal could be confirmed next week as boss Brendan Rodgers continues to try and get his summer transfer business conducted as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Southampton face another battle to keep hold of another star as midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is again the target of former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, with Arsenal and Manchester United also interested.

The French midfielder made 29 appearances for Ronald Koeman’s team last season, scoring five goals along the way, and is valued by his club at around £25million.

It is the second season running the Europa League-bound Saints, who are 2.40 to win at Newcastle on the opening day, will have to fight to keep hold of Schneiderlin.