Liverpool have reportedly lost out in the race for in-demand Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman will join Manchester City in a £60million deal when the transfer window official opens, according to the Mirror.
Van Dijk had emerged as Jurgen Klopp’s priority defensive target in recent months and the man Liverpool were prepared to shatter their £35million transfer record for.
It now seems the 25-year-old will deliver a crushing blow to Liverpool’s pursuit by teaming up with Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer.
The former Celtic man could move to the Etihad in a deal potentially worth over £200,000 a week, posing as a wage package far superior than that of Liverpool’s planned offer.
Recent reports had claimed that Van Dijk was impressed by the long-term project Klopp had initiated on Merseyside yet that doesn’t appear to have been enough to lure the centre-back to Anfield.
Liverpool will now be forced to turn their attention to alternative targets as the club strives to bolster the spine of the team with signings capable of taking Klopp’s men closer towards mounting a serious title challenge.
All eyes will now turn to whether the club can secure a deal for Roma winger Mohamed Salah with Liverpool set to up their efforts having had a bid rejected earlier this week.
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