Nigel Winterburn says it will be difficult for Southampton to keep Virgil van Dijk

The Saints have seen a number of their top talents leave St Mary’s in recent years.

The south coast club now face a tough task to hang onto star defender Van Dijk with Liverpool and Chelsea chasing the Dutchman.

Van Dijk’s future has been a hot topic for debate throughout the summer with his potential suitors still hoping to lure him away from Southampton before next Thursday’s deadline.

Arsenal great Winterburn has been impressed with the Saints' firm stance this summer but believes the 26-year-old could be on his way.

He told Sky Sports: "When you put two and two together, you get a sale don't you.

"But I think their stance is they want to change their approach. They don't want to be seen as a selling club.

"A lot of clubs have come in, picked up their best players, Arsenal have done it, Liverpool have done it.

"Now they want to say 'we've got to stop this selling mode and keep hold of our best players because we want to progress and move on in the Premier League'.

"The problem is, when you've got a player like Virgil van Dijk, he sees his next move as going to a significantly better club to challenge for titles.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp still wants Southampton star Virgil van Dijk

"To hold that player back from that, although he's signed a long contract, is going to be very difficult for them."

Winterburn is a huge fan of Van Dijk and he believes he's one of the best of the business.

He added: "He's up there with best centre-backs in the Premier League.

“There were some doubts when he moved from Celtic but this guy is absolutely sensational.

"He's comfortably on the ball, he can bring the ball out, he's a strong defender as well - he's a perfect fit for a modern Premier League centre-back."