Report: Dejan Lovren hands in transfer request

Southampton defender Dejan Lovren has reportedly handed in a transfer request.

The centre-back has been repeatedly linked with a move to Liverpool, and the 24-year-old has tried to speed the process along by handing in written permission to leave, according to The Express.

The Croatian international reportedly wants to depart St Mary's this summer to find a club in the Champions League, and the news has put the Reds on alert as they look to bolster their defensive ranks this summer.

Liverpool have already signed Rickie Lambert from the Saints this summer.