Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Nathaniel Clyne and Martin Skrtel Rumours

Liverpool will still have to pay full price for Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne despite Saints seemingly having already unveiled the Englishman's replacement.

The Reds have already had a £10 million bid for the right-back rejected by the south coast club this summer, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty.

Southampton's recent signing of Sporting Lisbon right-back Cedric Soares shows the club may be resigned to Clyne's departure:

However, they are holding firm on their asking price, and Liverpool will have to up their bid to £15 million if they want to snap up the 24-year-old, reports the Daily Star's Alex Crook. 

Clyne has just one year left on his contract at St Mary's, but Liverpool are in desperate need of quality on the right side of defence. Glen Johnson underwhelmed for years and has now been released.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will no doubt be nervous about his spending in the transfer window, having splashed out last summer to little effect, as discussed by Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven:

However, the Northern Irishman should have no issues with stumping up the cash for Clyne; the reported £15 million fee represents a potential bargain, given the player's youth and quality.

He has proved his worth in the Premier League, with the Telegraph's Henry Winter convinced of his quality:

Rodgers' previous raid on Southampton has not worked out that well, with 2014 summer signings Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert having underperformed at Anfield last season.

But Clyne looks to be a potentially crucial and quality buy for the Reds, and Rodgers should complete the deal as soon as possible.

Skrtel Set to Stay

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There has been some speculation over centre-back Martin Skrtel's Liverpool future in recent weeks, with the Slovakian about to enter the final year of his current contract.

Although categorically ruling out a move to Manchester United, Skrtel's reported contract disputes with Liverpool had led to talks that he might be playing his football elsewhere next season, per MailOnline's Matt Maltby.

However, according to Sky Sports, Skrtel has now agreed to extend his deal at Anfield, with his agent, Karol Csonto, confirming his client would stay on at Liverpool:

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I confess that there were not mere rumours, the interest from Inter [Milan] was real. The deal did not go ahead, but there was contact made. The player had been thinking about his future and eventually opted to remain at Liverpool.

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This will no doubt come as a relief to Rodgers and Liverpool, as 30-year-old Skrtel is a stalwart of the Kop defence and also a valuable set-piece threat.

His concentration is often lacking, and he has yet to find a centre-back partner with whom he is truly settled, but he has been a leader since arriving on Merseyside in 2008.

With long-term captain and talisman Steven Gerrard set to depart for LA Galaxy this summer, that leadership will be needed next season.