Liverpool target Virgil van Dijk to miss Southampton tie against Swansea with 'a virus', claims Mauricio Pellegrino

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Want-away captain Virgil van Dijk will miss Southampton's Premier League opener at home to Swansea on Saturday with 'illness,' new manager Mauricio Pellegrino claims.

Defender Van Dijk, 26, made his desire to leave public this week after handing in a written transfer request in a last-ditch attempt to force through a move to Liverpool.

Pellegrino said on Friday: 'He won't be available this weekend as he had some trouble with a virus and hasn't trained the last two days.

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk will miss the Swansea game through illness

'But my reaction to his transfer request is the same as I said three weeks ago. We are expecting him to come back and hopefully he can change his point of view.

'Virgil is an important player. The club was clear from the beginning with the player and we cannot control every situation but Virgil is part of our club because he has a contract.

'I have spoken with Les Reed and the player about the situation but not too much as the club was clear.

'The player is clear with his position but we had to keep going because I can't control the thinking of the player at that moment.'

Van Dijk handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to Liverpool 

Van Dijk has been training alone at the club's Staplewood base and said he was left with 'no alternative' but to demand a move just 12 months into a six-year contract making him Southampton's highest paid player.

Meanwhile Pellegrino has hinted Saints' summer spending is not over.

The south coast side have recruited only Polish defender Jan Bednarek and Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina so far.

Pellegrino added: 'We never know because the market is difficult. There are some really good players but it all depends on our budget and other clubs.' 

Mauricio Pellegrino says the club will continue their attempts to keep Van Dijk at the club