- Liverpool close to agreeing £70m structured fee with Southampton, says Kevin Palmer
- Reds could be acquiring the central defender Klopp has wanted since June
- Once fee agreed, contract with the Dutchman will be a formality
- SEE MORE: Van Dijk left out of Southampton squad… journo teases two explanations why
Reds, it might well be happening.
On Christmas Eve, Liverpool fans are waking up to news that finally, after what feels like forever, we might be signing Virgil van Dijk!
Kevin Palmer has claimed in the Sunday World that Liverpool have made a significant breakthrough in discussions with Southampton about buying the Dutchman and that a structured deal worth £70m is likely for January.
Exclusive – Liverpool finally make a breakthrough in their pursuit of Virgil van Dijk…the Christmas gift all Reds fans were hoping for @sundayworld https://t.co/iX9cFIqDBG #LFC #MCFC pic.twitter.com/TmR8Si0EJF
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) December 23, 2017
Mauricio Pellegrino has left van Dijk out of Saints’ past two matches, which is a huge indication a transfer is on the horizon.
Manchester City were and are heavily interested, but the latest suggestion is that Liverpool have won the race.
Interestingly, there’s been no words from the recognised Merseyside correspondents like James Pearce and Paul Joyce, but after the summer – when they jumped the gun and left Liverpool in a situation where Southampton reported us for tapping up – this is perhaps not surprising.
Pellegrino was tight-lipped when asked about van Dijk’s future, but the indication is clear.
“I decided that was best for this moment. This is the reason. I am responsible for picking 11 players, and I intend to pick the best for the team,” he said.
“Around him will be a lot of speculation and we have to wait to see what happens.
Van Dijk’s future? I don’t know, we’ll have to wait, but I will repeat, there will be a lot of speculation around him. We have to wait.”
Liverpool’s defending has been good in recent weeks, but the five minute horror-show against Arsenal in which we conceded three goals showed exactly why reinforcements are so desperately needed.
Virgil van Dijk could be the perfect Christmas present for supporters everywhere.