Southampton in transfer talks to sign 34-cap international midfielder | OneFootball

Southampton are in talks over a potential reunion with midfielder Adam Lallana for next season.

That's according to a report from Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, who says the 36-year-old could be set for a "stunning" return to St Mary's.

This has of course been a memorable season for Southampton, following relegation from the Premier League at the end of the previous campaign.

A 1-0 victory over Leeds United in Sunday's Championship play-off final thanks to an Adam Armstrong goal saw Russell Martin's side secure an immediate promotion back to the top-flight of English football.

Now, it seems as though the club are already planning some eye-catching moves as they prepare to compete in the Premier League again.

Southampton eyeing Adam Lallana return

As per this latest update, the Saints have now opened talks with Lallana about a return to St Mary's this summer.

The midfielder is set to leave his current club Brighton in the summer after four years with the Seagulls, in which he made over 100 appearances in all competitions.

During that time, he has helped Albion remain a consistent and secure presence in the Premier League, with the Sussex outfit also qualifying for this past season's UEFA Europa League.

Lallana is of course no stranger to Southampton, having initially come through the youth ranks with the Saints.

He then went on to make over 250 appearances for the club at senior level between 2006 and 2014, helping them to win promotion from the Championship during the 2011/12 season.

The midfielder was then sold to Liverpool in the summer of 2014, and spent six years there before moving to Brighton on a free transfer in 2020.

But with it being confirmed that he will leave The Amex Stadium this summer, it seems Southampton are now working to bring him back to the club.

If confirmed, Lallana may effectively become the Saints' second signing of this summer's transfer window.

Promotion has already seen a £20million obligation to buy clause triggered in centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis' loan move from Manchester City, meaning he is now a permanent Southampton player.

Adam Lallana signing would be an excellent one for Southampton

It does feel as though the signing of Lallana would be a very smart move for the Saints to make following their promotion back to the Premier League.

The midfielder is obviously now approaching the latter stages of his career at 36 years of age.

However, he has still shown this season that he can compete at the top level, with his top-flight pedigree and experience something that may help Southampton as they look to re-establish themselves in the top-flight.

Even if it does now work out in that way, it should be remembered that the midfielder is available on a free transfer following his departure from Brighton.

That of course, means that any financial risk arising from this deal has already been significantly reduced.

Beyond that, Lallana was a hugely popular figure during his time with Southampton before, so his return would surely go down well and help to lift the mood around St Mary's even further.

With all that in mind, this is surely a signing that the Saints should now be looking to get done quickly, as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.