Liverpool FC will have to pay £15 million if they want to sign Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne this summer, according to reports.
The Reds have already tabled a £10 million bid for the Saints defender, which was firmly rejected - but the Merseyside club are expected to come in with an improved offer.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is believed to view the 24-year-old England international as a suitable replacement for departing right-back Glen Johnson, who leaves as a free agent.
Clyne's contract runs out in a year's time and Rodgers knows that though Southampton view the right-back closer towards £20 million, they will be forced to sell for a lower price if Clyne indicates his desire to leave for Merseyside to the club and to director of football Les Reed.
Clyne, who has also subject to interest from Louis van Gaal's Manchester United, made his international debut against Slovenia last year and has since become Roy Hodgson's first-choice option on the right.
Liverpool believe that Clyne would also become their regular right-back with Johnson leaving, Jon Flanagan having not played competitively for over a year and on-loan Javier Manquillo's future uncertain.
The London-born full-back would become the fourth player to make the switch from Southampton to Liverpool inside 12 months after Rodgers spent just under £50 million in the trio of Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana last summer.