Rickie Lambert is expected to be confirmed as a Liverpool player on Monday, writes Carl Markham.
Having last night emerged unscathed from England's match with Peru, the current Southampton striker will travel to Merseyside for a medical today. Once that is completed officials at Anfield expect to complete the deal and announce the 32-year-old's arrival for an initial fee of £4m.
There are a number of add-ons tied in to the deal but the eventual figure will not get close to the £9m being suggested in some quarters. By the time the contract - which is understood to be for two years - is concluded, Lambert is likely to be in Miami for the next stage of England's World Cup preparations.
Born in Kirkby, Merseyside, Lambert was a member of Liverpool's academy until his mid-teens when he was released. He then found himself playing in the lower leagues for the likes of Stockport and Bristol Rovers before finding success at Southampton. He will now return to Anfield as the club's first new signing of the summer.
It is understood that Liverpool intend to hold further talks with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can over the weekend to gain a clearer idea of whether or not the German can be lured to Anfield.
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