Virgil van Dijk optimistic of Liverpool move despite Chelsea and Arsenal preparing bids

The Southampton defender is desperate to leave Saints and is not short of offers.

But Mauricio Pellegrino’s side are adamant he won’t be sold before Thursday’s 11pm deadline despite him being exiled from the Argentine’s training regime.

Liverpool remain long-term admirers of Van Dijk and are thought to be prepared to smash their club-record transfer fee to sign him.

And according to the Independent, Van Dijk believes he still has a chance of joining Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

However, Southampton are refusing to do business with the Reds after the Merseyside outfit were accused of making an illegal approach to sign him earlier in the transfer window.

With Liverpool and Southampton’s negotiations reaching a standstill, Arsenal and Chelsea are keen to take advantage.

Antonio Conte is a big fan of the 26-year-old and believes he would suit his 3-4-3 formation, while Arsenal are in need of defensive reinforcements after taking a 4-0 battering from Liverpool at the weekend.

And the Independent claim Van Dijk’s future could be complicated by late bids from both London clubs.

Van Dijk won’t come cheap though and Arsenal or Chelsea would need to fork out over £70m if Southampton are to even consider selling.

The Dutchman, who hasn’t featured in any of Southampton’s Premier League games this season, is under contract with the south coast club until 2022.