Southampton defender van Dijk shows off close control
James Dodd, a reporter from Fox Sports News, says conversations have been held between Arsenal, Van Dijk and his representatives over a possible move.
Dodd, who follows Arsenal, tweeted: “#AFC have met with Van Dijk & his reps but I'm fairly sure all the big PL clubs have. I guess Saints would rather sell to us than Liverpool.”
The news will be a hammer blow to Liverpool who have been chasing the Dutchman all summer.
Van Dijk wants to leave St Mary’s and he’s Jurgen Klopp’s top target to strengthen the defence.
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Arsenal transfer news: Virgil van Dijk has allegedly met Arsenal chiefs
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However, Liverpool will only bid if Southampton make it clear they are open to offers for the Dutch international.
Southampton this week signed Holland centre-back Wesley Hoedt but the club insist Van Dijk will not be sold.
That’s despite the central defender having still not joined first-team training under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino.
Arsene Wenger this morning left the door open for Shkodran Mustafi to leave the club before the transfer window shuts.
He said: “No I don’t expect [him to leave]. It’s difficult for me to speak about individual cases.
“The transfer market is now in the final seven days and it’s always difficult to predict what happens. You have got to make quick and sharp decisions.
“You cannot come out in press conferences and say how you will respond to any situation.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was yesterday urged to sign a defender and a central midfielder before the transfer window shuts a week today by Steven Gerrard
“Very pleased. More importantly the supporters, they’re all right behind him," Gerrard said on BT Sport of Klopp.
“I think he’s made really good signings in Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson looked impressive at the weekend.
“Hopefully he can get a few more in before the deadline but very, very pleased.”
While former Liverpol star Craig Bellamy has predicted a big week of spending before the window shuts.
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Virgil van Dijk wants to leave Southampton
He told Paddy Power: "Expect Liverpool to be busy in the transfer market this week.
"Liverpool as a club is always a huge carrot to dangle in front of players anyway, they’re a massive draw for a lot of footballers – but the Champions League is where every top players wants to play.
"Now Liverpool know they’re in the Champions League, I expect a busy week of transfers at Anfield.
"We’ve known the areas Jurgen Klopp needs to address for a long time, and he’s clearly aware of it, too, with the players he’s tried to draft in this summer.
"They still need more at centre back and a defensive midfielder would be a key signing for me."
