Rickie Lambert's impending €5.5 million transfer to Liverpool and Manchester United's race to sign Luke Shaw before the World Cup could be the start of a mass exodus from Southampton, with the managerless south-coast club in a state of flux that threatens to affect prospects of starting next season with a strong squad.

After Mauricio Pochettino's departure to become Tottenham Hotspur boss, the club continue to search for his replacement. Director of football Les Reed is dealing with the sale of Lambert and pursuit of Shaw by United, and several others, while also determining the futures of several players including Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Dejan Lovren.

Lambert is due to have a medical on Merseyside today after Southampton accepted a revised offer from Liverpool for the England striker. The Anfield club became aware of his availability during their inquiries for Southampton's captain Lallana and defender Lovren.

Southampton exodus Both

players are of interest to Pochettino too. He has also targeted Rodriguez, their injured team-mate.

Discussions over the structure of the deal for Lambert, with Liverpool offering several performance-related payments, continued yesterday when Southampton accepted €5.5 million up front, plus add-ons.

Lambert will be involved in England’s World Cup warm-up game against Peru at Wembley on Friday and, barring any problems, will then travel to Merseyside to become Brendan Rodgers’ first signing of the summer. He is believed to have agreed personal terms with Liverpool, the team he supported as a boy but who released him as a teenager, and the transfer is expected to be completed by Monday. They are also continuing to pursue his St Mary’s club-mates but have not reached a deal on fees for Lallana or Lovren. Guardian Service