Former Southampton striker Gordon Watson has done exactly to Virgil van Dijk what Steven Gerrard did to Luis Suarez in 2013 – told him to wait for Barcelona…
Four years ago, our former Uruguayan forward wanted to switch to Arsenal, who were in the Champions League at the time, but Gerrard convinced him that the Gunners would be a sideways step and that if he continued performing for us – Barcelona would eventually come in for him.
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That’s of course what happened and since 2014, Suarez has scored 121 goals in 147 games for the Catalans and won the Champions League, three Copa del Reys and two La Liga titles.
Watson thinks van Dijk won’t win trophies with Liverpool and has laughably suggested that the only motive for him joining Jurgen Klopp’s revolution is money.
“This situation is laughable,” he told Southampton’s Daily Echo. “He’s up there with the two best centre backs in the Premier League. If he went to Barcelona he’d be waved off with everyone behind him Nobody would deny him such a move. But Liverpool? No, he’s way better than that. He’s been ill-advised.”
“A move to Liverpool would just be a payday,” Watson added. “It wouldn’t be for trophies or accolades. It’s only for money, and with Barcelona in need of a defender you might have them knocking on the door soon. Van Dijk should only be moving to one of the best clubs in the world—Bayern, Real, Barcelona.
“If he went to one of them, he’d leave with Saints’ best wishes. You go to Liverpool, there’s no guarantee of trophies, just money. To further his career, he needs a move to one of the best.”
While Liverpool and Arsenal are comparative equals, Liverpool and Southampton are definitely not…
Watson is kidding himself if he thinks a transfer from St. Mary’s to Anfield isn’t a progressive one. If he’s in doubt, look at Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane, Nathaniel Clyne et al.
Van Dijk wants the transfer and has alerted Southampton’s hierarchy of the fact. Now, it’s whether the south coast club will go back on their word and allow him an exit.
We’re quietly hopeful.