Liverpool are reportedly set to turn their attentions to Shane Long in their pursuit of a revamped attack next season.
Long netted 14 goals for Southampton this season, and his form has caught the eye of a number of Premier League sides, with Leicester City also said to be keen on the former Hull City forward.
The Saints are likely to put up a fight to keep hold of their stars this summer, following their sixth place finish in 2015-16, however boss Ronald Koeman is pragmatic about the possibility of exits.
He said: “Yes (I don’t want to sell players) but if it is realistic, I don’t know.
“I would like to keep everybody, the best players, and have a stronger team for next season.
“But it’s all about interesting players and money, and we know we are Southampton, it is difficult to compete against the big ones but of course we would like to keep the players at the club.”
Liverpool have history for coaxing players away from St. Mary’s, after signing Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren in 2014 and Nathaniel Clyne in 2015 from the south coast side.
According to the Daily Star, a move for Long is likely to cost the Reds in the region of £25 million, with a bid funded by the sale of Belgian Christian Benteke.
Long would provide a solid option for Liverpool, capable of scoring goals at a Premier League level, with the stamina to play a full season, particularly valuable in light of Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes.