Liverpool are hoping to wrap up a long-awaited deal for Southampton defender Dejan Lovren this weekend, according to reports sprouting from the club's training camp in the United States.

The 25-year-old will reportedly undergo his medical with the Reds on Saturday in Merseyside, as the team continue their pre-season tour of America.

Lovren, who impressed in his debut season for the Saints having arrived from Lyon last summer, was thought to have been manager Brendan Rodgers' number one defensive target, with the club keen to find a replacement for retired Reds legend Jamie Carragher.

And despite playing just one year of his four-year contract on the south coast, the Croatia international's head was turned upon hearing of the Merseyside outfit's interest.

The centre-back swiftly submitted a transfer request at St Mary's and then revealed to his national press that his 'head was already in Liverpool'.

The same Croatian outlet reported last week Lovren was set to complete a £16million Reds switch 'in the coming days', though that fee could rise to around £20million in add-ons.

And it now seems the deal will be finalised over the weekend to make Lovren Liverpool's fifth official signing of the transfer window - their third from Southampton.

Meanwhile, talks are still ongoing for the impending arrivals of Queens Park Rangers forward Loic Remy and Belgium starlet Divock Origi - moves which are expected to take Rodgers' summer spending to close to £100million.

Source: talkSPORT