News that Liverpool have evaded further punishment over a alleged illegal pursuit of Virgil van Dijk has been hampered by a blow to the club’s chances of reviving a deal for the Dutchman.
The Reds were forced to issue an apology and end interest in the defender after Southampton lodged a complaint against an approach that involved secret meetings between the player and Jurgen Klopp.
With no sufficient evidence having been presented since then and Liverpool’s apology having been accepted, the Premier League has decided it will be taking no action against the club.
A growing belief amongst fans that a renewed approach remains possible has received a setback with reports suggesting there is little chance of Southampton dealing with the Reds.
Officials at St Mary’s have reiterated they won’t sell to Liverpool for any price while Klopp has also been informed that a move is unrealistic, according to the Times’ Matt Hughes.
While this could mark the end of a frustrating transfer saga, there remains a case for the belief that lots can still change over the next few months.
Despite tentative links to Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij, a clear priority alternative to Van Dijk remains to be unclear.
For now, though, Liverpool’s immediate focus will undoubtedly be on pursuing perhaps more realistic deals for RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita and Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Is that it for Van Dijk? We will see.
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The latest sign that a deal for Virgil van Dijk could be well and truly off