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Rickie Lambert is on the brink of a dream move to Anfield after Liverpool FC launched a surprise bid for the Southampton striker.

The Reds have tabled an offer of £4million plus add-ons for the Kirkby-born boyhood Kopite and are confident of securing his services.

The ECHO understands the 32-year-old England international will be offered a two-year contract and club officials hope the transfer will be completed in the next 48 hours.

Lambert, who began his career in Liverpool's youth ranks before being released at the age of 15, is desperate to make the switch to Anfield and is prepared to push through the transfer.

He is part of England’s World Cup squad and is currently preparing for Friday night’s friendly with Peru at Wembley.

Liverpool want him to undergo a medical and sign a contract before he flies off to Miami with Roy Hodgson's men on Sunday to continue their preparations for Brazil.

Lambert would be the Reds' first signing of the summer and more are likely to follow swiftly.

Liverpool have tabled a £16million bid for Sevilla's Alberto Moreno and are willing to offer Spanish youngster Suso as a makeweight in the deal.

The ECHO revealed earlier this month that Spain international Moreno is Brendan Rodgers' prime left-back target.

Rodgers is also chasing Lambert's Southampton clubmates Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren.

The Reds' £20million offer for midfielder Lallana was rejected by Saints, while they have yet to make a formal approach for Croatian centre-back Lovren.

If Liverpool don't make a breakthrough in their pursuit of Lallana then they will turn their attentions to Bayern Munich's Xherdan Shaqiri.

They have also pursued Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can and are willing to meet the £10million release clause in his contract. However, they have so far been unable to agree personal terms with the Germany Under-21s international and could walk away from that deal.

The move for Lambert, who has a tattoo of the Liver Bird on his shoulder, has come out of the blue.

The 6ft 2ins frontman worked his way up through the lower leagues after being released by Liverpool as a teenager.

He had spells with Blackpool, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers before signing for Southampton in 2009.

Lambert, who is under contract until the summer of 2016, helped them clinch back to back promotion en route to the top flight and is a fans' favourite on the South Coast.

He has scored 117 goals in 235 games for Saints, including 13 strikes in the 2013/14 Premier League campaign.

Rodgers is keen to have four frontline strikers in order for the Reds to be able to cope with the added demands of Champions League football next season and believes Lambert fits the bill.

With Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge for company, plus Fabio Borini back from his loan spell at Sunderland, he is unlikely to be a regular starter but he will provide a different attacking option.

Lambert's arrival would also accelerate the departure of Spanish striker Iago Aspas, who has no future at Anfield after a disappointing first season at the club following his £8million switch from Celta Vigo.

Lambert's age and aerial prowess makes him a surprise addition to Rodgers' squad.

However, before the Reds faced Saints at Anfield last September the Northern Irishman paid a warm tribute to the striker, who had recently scored on his England debut against Scotland.

“I think Rickie is a terrific player,” said Rodgers.

“I sent him a fax when he made his England debut as I know he is a big Red. I sent it on behalf of the club and all Kopites.

“He is a Kirkby boy and I was just wishing him well, saying we were all proud of him playing for England.

“He’s probably never got the recognition for what a really good footballer he is. He is probably seen as a traditional big number nine, a typical British striker, but he’s one of the most accomplished footballers I’ve seen.

“Look at his touch and the different types of goals he scores, he is a terrific player.

“'People look back now and say it was a mistake (by Liverpool to let Lambert go), but there may have been something at the time that was a factor.

“He just might not have been ready for what Liverpool was at that time, but there is absolutely no doubt within development it cannot just be about what the player is now. With young talent you always have to look at what they could be.

“You see so many young British players who are thrown to the garbage because maybe they are not strong or they are not quick when they are going through growth spurts. The emphasis at younger ages should be technique. But I have been a big admirer of Rickie.”

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