Liverpool transfer news: Virgil van Dijk is wanted by Jurgen Klopp
The Saints have just announced the £15million capture of Lazio centre-back Wesley Hoedt and used the opportunity to drop a hint Van Dijk is not joining Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp is desperate to sign the defender before the transfer window shuts and continues to monitor the situation closely.
But in an official Southampton press release, vice-chairman Les Reed pledges that Hoedt has signed "to play alongside Virgil van Dijk".
The fact the Dutchman is name-dropped is yet another sign that Southampton won't sell their star man this summer.
Reed is quoted as saying: "Wesley has proven his talent through his performances for Lazio, as well as the Netherlands, and we believe he can develop even further here at Southampton, alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos."
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Hoedt, 23, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at St Mary’s, becoming Saints' third arrival of the summer.
He made his senior international debut earlier this year and has since become a regular fixture in the Netherlands squad.
Reed added: “Wesley is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and represents a significant addition to our squad. Having procured a Champions League finalist from one Italian club we have now added an Italian Supercoppa winner from another.
“We believe he has all the qualities to play a big part in our future, and we have worked hard to bring him to Southampton, with a number of other high-profile clubs interested in him.
"Finding a top quality central defender is difficult in the current environment and now we have six internationals in this position, both young and experienced.
"Finding a naturally left-footed player is even more difficult. We have been tracking central defenders on our target list for the past 12 months and Wesley has always been at the top of that list, so it was important to act when the opportunity came.”
“With Wesley joining those players, we believe we have the right amount of quality, depth and flexibility at centre-back to help us achieve our aims this season.”
Hoedt himself added: "I'm really happy to be here. I think Southampton is a really big club, so it's a good next step for me to come here and to play in the Premier League and try to help the best I can."
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