Virgil van Dijk wanted to leave Southampton but is now enjoying life at the club, admits Maya Yoshida

  • Maya Yoshida has admitted Virgil van Dijk was desperate to leave Southampton
  • The defender submitted a transfer request though the club held firm
  • Yoshida says Van Dijk is now enjoying life in the Saints camp once again 

Southampton defender Maya Yoshida has admitted Virgil van Dijk wanted to leave in the summer, but he is now enjoying life at the club again.

Van Dijk was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool during the most recent transfer window as part of a reported deal worth over £50m.

In the end, negotiations collapsed and Southampton threatened to report Liverpool to the Premier League.

Maya Yoshida (L) admits Virgil van Dijk wanted to leave but is happy again at Southampton

Maya Yoshida (L) admits Virgil van Dijk wanted to leave but is happy again at Southampton

Van Dijk was made to train alone and, when the transfer window shut and the defender hadn't got his move, it was feared he would kick up a fuss.


However, as Southampton prepare to take on Brighton today [SUN], Yoshida has revealed that is not the case and his fellow centre-back is settled again.

'He is good. He is enjoying every day. I think he smiles a lot,' said Yoshida.

Following his transfer request Van Dijk was instructed to train alone from the first team

Following his transfer request Van Dijk was instructed to train alone from the first team

'It is very comfortable with him, he never brings any negativity. That's his future, his decision. But, in this moment, he is really comfortable I think.

'It is tough for him but the most important thing is he is with us now and he puts everything on it with Southampton. That is the most important [thing].

'Maybe in the future something will happen, but at this moment he gives everything to the club. That is very good.'

Van Dijk missed the first few games of this season due to a foot injury, but Yoshida believes he is now getting back to his best.

Southampton refused to sell the defender and now Van Dijk is said to be happy once again

Southampton refused to sell the defender and now Van Dijk is said to be happy once again

'He didn't play for a long time, about eight months, so the first couple of games he was not top level enough as he was before,' said Yoshida.

'But recently he has done very well and I can see he is very comfortable with more confidence. Game by game we feel much better.'

 

Yoshida was speaking courtesy of Southampton's official energy supplier, Utilita Energy.