The representatives of Virgil van Dijk have firmly and immediately rebuffed an enquiry from Barcelona as to his availability, that’s according to The Mirror’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross.
After reportedly approaching the Reds’ PFA Player of the Year to see whether he might be tempted to swap Merseyside for Catalunya, Barça were told by Van Dijk’s agent – Neil Fewings of Wasserman – to forget about trying to do business.
As Cross wrote in his column: “Meanwhile, do not expect it to happen for a moment, but Barcelona made enquiries about whether Virgil van Dijk could be tempted to leave Liverpool – and were quickly given short shrift by the Dutch defender’s representatives.
They did not bother taking it further.”
It’s even more ridiculous than it sounds, and, of course, the fact that it’s Barça makes the outright rejection of the approach all the more sweet.
As Champions League winners, we are now in a position where other big clubs are unable to poach are best and brightest talent; Van Dijk’s stellar performances for us this season are a huge part of that.
With a new deal for the £75 million Dutch defender on the table at Anfield – a contract Van Dijk is eager to sign [ESPN] – the Reds already know that he is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Van Dijk is one of the Red’s highest-earning players and neither club nor player are in any particular rush to put pen to paper, such is the degree of mutual trust and faith. Negotiations will be quick and painless; under Jürgen Klopp’s exponentially rising reign, there shouldn’t be any issues whatsoever.
After winning the Champions League with us, and POTY, the Netherlands star has also been tipped to rival Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for this year’s Ballon d’Or.