Virgil van Dijk is very unlikely to play for Southampton again following yesterday’s transfer request, but getting him to Liverpool is going to be incredibly difficult.
Paul Joyce last night confirmed in the Times that despite the Dutchman’s statement, Southampton haven’t openly changed their stance and still insist the player is not for sale…
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Virgil van Dijk hands in formal transfer request; releases detailed statement
Why are they doing this, when their skipper has embarrassed them so much, has effectively put himself on strike and will earn them £70m-odd?
Perhaps so he ends up at Arsenal or Chelsea instead of Liverpool…
The Echo have claimed that following our illegal approach earlier this summer, for which we issued an apology and publicly withdrew our interest, we’ll only submit an offer if Southampton show they’re willing to sell van Dijk.
So by suggesting their skipper is still not for sale, our hands are effectively tied – while the other competitor’s for his signature, Arsenal and Chelsea – can lodge bids more freely.
Van Dijk’s favoured move is still to Anfield, but with Liverpool pillaging Southampton of their best talent since 2014, they’re doing everything in their power to make sure he doesn’t make the same move.