Steven Gerrard backs Liverpool to sign Virgil van Dijk
The centre-back wants to quit St Mary's to join Liverpool, who are monitoring the situation closely.
Van Dijk hasn't featured for the Saints this season as he recovers from a long-term injury and he's been training with the Under-23s.
A clue a deal could happen was dropped yesterday when Saints signed £15million centre-back Wesley Hoedt, who could be a possible replacement.
Winterburn told Sky Sports News: "When you put two and two together, you get a sale don't you.
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Transfer news: Virgil van Dijk is wanted by Liverpool
"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.
"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 Van Dijk fan 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."
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