Time looks set to run out today on Liverpool’s hopes of signing Adam Lallana before the World Cup.

The Reds have been attempting to strike a deal for the Saints captain ever since the season concluded last month, tabling what they described as a final ‘take it or leave it’ offer just over a week ago.

Liverpool informed Saints that, if a transfer was not agreed before the World Cup, they would move on to other targets. Despite that ultimatum, though, the club have not budged.

Time is now almost up for a deal to be concluded before this summer’s tournament, with England flying to Brazil after tonight’s final warm-up game, against Honduras, in Miami.

Lallana is already understood to have informed Saints of his desire to leave, but it looks as though he will now have to wait until he returns from South America before having a chance of making a move.

Saints wish to put the matter of his future, as well as that of Luke Shaw’s, on the backburner until a new manager is in place and the World Cup is over, and they show no signs of deviating from that plan.

The club do not believe that the latest offer from Liverpool represents the right value for them anyway, while that is also the case over Manchester United’s bid for Shaw.

Liverpool have submitted an offer that is potentially worth £25m, but the amount guaranteed to Saints is significantly less, and it is thought they would actually only pocket around £15m for their skipper.

As with United’s £27m bid for Shaw, the deal’s structure involves various add-ons, many of which are unlikely to ever be realised.

When it comes to Lallana, Saints must also factor in the money they owe to the midfielder’s former club, Bournemouth, who are entitled to a 25 per cent cut, due to a sell-on clause.

Saints have not been concerned by Liverpool’s threat of moving onto other targets.

There is understood to be interest in the player from elsewhere, and a good World Cup could increase his value further.

Whether Liverpool do actually follow through on their threat to give up on a deal for Lallana is unknown also.

Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri is said to be their main fall-back option, but he is also going to be away competing in the World Cup, with Switzerland.