Liverpool Transfer News: Nathaniel Clyne Bid 'Rejected,' Nico Gaitan Rumours

Liverpool have reportedly had a £10 million bid for Southampton right-back Nathaniel Clyne rejected by the south-coast club.

With Glen Johnson's contract set to expire and the Englishman on his way out of Anfield, Liverpool desperately need a long-term replacement in the right of defence.

The 24-year-old Clyne excelled for Saints in the 2014-15 season and would be a perfect acquisition for Liverpool, with the England international only having one year left on his contract at the St Mary's Stadium.

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However, according to Dominic King in the Daily Mail, an opening offer of £10 million from Liverpool has been rejected.

No doubt Southampton believe they can drive Clyne's price up, perhaps by starting a bidding war between Liverpool and Manchester United, with the Red Devils also reportedly interested in the youngster, per David Anderson in the Mirror.

Alternatively, the Saints may also be looking to keep Clyne at the club, a genuine possibility since the player switched representation, per the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst:

If it does come down to a straight choice between United and Liverpool, the Reds will be on the back foot given their lack of Champions League football for next season.

Kop boss Brendan Rodgers has already lost out to United in the battle for Memphis Depay, and he needs to prove his credentials in this summer's transfer market having taken criticism for last-summer's signings.

As indicated by BBC Sport's Phil McNulty, Rodgers has a poor history with defensive signings from Southampton, but Clyne would surely be a fine acquisition:

He will only improve with further experience at the top level, and his defensive capabilities already look vastly superior to that of Johnson's.

Equally, Clyne is terrific going forward—as all modern full-backs need to be—and could prove an asset for Liverpool in a creative role also.

Reds Join Nico Gaitan Pursuit 

Liverpool are also reportedly pursuing Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan, though again they may face opposition from United.

According to King in the Daily Mail, Gaitan is one of Rodgers' top targets, and the attacking 27-year-old is valued at £21 million.

The Argentinian winger could be brought in as a replacement for Raheem Sterling, who could well be on his way out of Anfield this summer, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

If Sterling does depart, Liverpool are likely to recoup a hefty transfer fee, giving them the financial muscle to go up against the likes of United for Gaitan and Clyne. 

In the case of Gaitan, the reported links with the Red Devils may well be tenuous, given past dealings between Benfica and United, per the Times' James Ducker:

Rodgers will certainly hope so, as Gaitan could be a fine asset at Liverpool given his ability to switch play from defence to attack at great pace.

He would fit well into Liverpool's counter-attacking style and bring added verve to a Reds attack that looked stale and unimaginative all too often last season.