Former Southampton star Adam Lallana has refused to rule out a return to St Mary’s this summer – ten years after leaving.
The 36-year-old is set to become a free agent when his contract at Brighton expires at the end of June.
talkSPORT understands that the 34-cap England international has been in talks with the Saints regarding an emotional comeback.
Lallana came through Southampton’s academy, where he scored 60 goals in 265 matches in all competitions between 2006-2014 – helping them go from League One to the Premier League.
And he could now be on his way back to his former stomping ground after Southampton secured an instant return to the top-flight after beating Leeds in the Championship play-off final.
His future was the topic of discussion during his appearance on talkSPORT Drive on Tuesday, which took place at the James Maddison Invitational at the 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 stated: “We’ll see.”
He continued: “I’m going to go on a little break now, a little holiday.
“It was a difficult season with Europe and just managing the schedule, I lived away from home.
“So I just want to take a bit of time to rest, be with my family and I’m pretty confident I’m going to continue playing.”
Darren Bent then chimed in, where he insisted Lallana must have been ‘proud’ watching Southampton beat Leeds to seal their return to the Premier League.
It led the Liverpool cult hero to say: “Russell [Martin] has done an unbelievable job there, not just with getting them promoted.
“But losing [James] Ward-Prowse, the captain, he’s restructured the squad, brought a couple of loans in – Taylor Harwood-Bellis [from Manchester City], who I know from the [England] Under-21s.
“Flynn Downes [from West Ham], who I think has been outstanding all year, Adam Armstrong has got the goals and there are a few young players coming through.
“It just feels a little bit like the Southampton of old, and the values the club represents, he’s [Martin] brought back.
“I think that’s important, so on the whole, I think he’s done an unbelievable job, it’s not easy getting promoted out of that league with some of the teams.
“The top three [Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds] finished with record points this year, so it’s not easy, and it’s not going to be easy to stay in the Premier League.
“The three that went up [Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton] all went back down this year.”
Lallana isn’t the only ex-Southampton star that could return to the south coast side, as talkSPORT understands West Ham striker Danny Ings is also on the club’s radar.
News Summary:
- Adam Lallana issues two-word response amid rumours of emotional return to Southampton
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