Former Southampton star Adam Lallana has not ruled out a return to St Mary’s this summer, ten years after he left.
The 36-year-old will become a free agent when his contract in Brighton expires at the end of June.
2
The Pitch Prospect has learned that the 34-time England international is in talks with the Saints about an emotional comeback.
Lallana graduated from Southampton’s academy, where he scored 60 goals in 265 games in all competitions between 2006 and 2014, helping the club to promotion from League One to the Premier League.
And he could now be on his way back to his old stomping ground after Southampton’s victory over Leeds in the Championship play-off final saw them return to the top flight straight away.
His future was the topic of discussion during his appearance on The Pitch Prospect Drive on Tuesday, which took place at the James Maddison Invitational at Centurion Golf Club in St Albans.
Co-host Andy Goldstein asked the 2019 Champions League winner about the speculation linking him with a return to Southampton.
To which a smiling Lallana simply said: “We will see.”
He continued: “I’m going to take a little break now, a little vacation.
“It was a difficult season with Europe and managing the schedule while living away from home.
2
“So I just want to take some time to rest and be with my family. And I’m pretty confident that I’ll keep playing.”
Darren Bent then joined the thread, stressing that Lallana must have been “proud” to watch Southampton beat Leeds to seal their return to the Premier League.
The Liverpool cult hero said: “Russell [Martin] has not only achieved incredible things during the ascent.
“But losing [James] Ward-Prowse, the captain, has restructured the squad and brought in a few loan players – Taylor Harwood-Bellis [from Manchester City]whom I know from the [England] Under 21.
“Flynn Downes [from West Ham]who I thought was outstanding all year, Adam Armstrong scored the goals and there are some young players coming through.
“It just feels a bit like the old Southampton, and the values that the club represents are [Martin] brought back.
“I think that’s important. Overall, I think he’s done an incredible job. For some teams, it’s not easy to get promoted from this league.
“The three best [Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds] finished this year with a record points tally, so staying in the Premier League is not and will not be easy.
“The three who went up [Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton] everything went back again this year.”
Lallana is not the only former Southampton star who could return to the south coast. As The Pitch Prospect has learned, West Ham striker Danny Ings is also on the club’s radar.