Liverpool are targeting a future double bid for two more Southampton players, having already bought five in recent windows.
The Daily Star (among others) report that we want brilliant Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk and young left-back Sam McQueen, with a fee of around £40m expected to be sufficient to acquire both.
Since 2014, Liverpool have brought in Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Sadio Mane from Southampton, who held us to a frustrating 0-0 draw at St. Mary’s at the weekend.
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Towering centre-half Van Dijk was the Man of the Match on Saturday, putting in a performance of real pedigree. He’s physically exceptional, but he backs that up with a calmness and composure on the ball, akin to Jurgen Klopp’s demands.
We know less about McQueen, who only made his Premier League debut last month – but the youngster’s impressed ever since and his contract expires at the end of the season, meaning we could acquire him for a tribunal fee to help cover our much-debated left-back spot.
Liverpool used to get mocked for purchasing so many Southampton players at high prices, but right now, the buys have nearly all proved successful. Lambert was a failure but he hardly cost anything, while Clyne, Lallana and Mane have proved bargains. Lovren is probably performing at par considering his £20m price-tag, but all in all, players from the south coast club have adapted well.
We’d absolutely love Van Dijk; he’s exceptional – and could form a mouthwatering partnership with Joel Matip at the heart of our defence. With six years left on his contract though, we’re not even sure £40m would suffice.