Football transfer news and rumours: 'Liverpool to relaunch £60m move for Virgil van Dijk'

Football transfer news and rumours: 'Liverpool to relaunch £60m move for Virgil van Dijk'
Virgil van Dijk handed in a transfer request at Southampton on Monday Credit: Getty images

After Virgil van Dijk handed in a stunning, forthright transfer request on Monday, asking that Southampton "consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist," Liverpool will revive their interest in the defender.

That's according to reports in the Daily Express this morning, who say Liverpool will not be deterred by the fact Southampton reported them to the Premier League earlier in the summer for their pursuit of Van Dijk.

Liverpool avoided a sanction, but were forced to abandon their move for the defender and make a public apology for their actions. It was thought that after that episode any deal was dead in the water.

However, Van Dijk has now begged his club to listen to offers for him, and reports now suggest Liverpool will go back in with a £60 million bid - what would be world record for a defender.

Stuart Pearce believes Van Dijk "will end up at Liverpool" this summer.

The Sun say Southampton are lining up Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson as a replacement, but he will cost as much as £30m.

 

Liverpool themselves may come under increased pressure for one of their own stars, with Barcelona supposedly readying a £120m bid for Philippe Coutinho, as detailed on these pages on Monday, but reports in the Daily Mirror suggest manager Jurgen Klopp will refuse any offer that comes in, no matter the price.

Former Liverpool man Graeme Souness told Sky Sports he thinks the club will not be able to hold on to the 25-year-old amid interest from Spain, in the same way Luis Suarez forced a move three years ago.

It could be a busy few weeks on Merseyside.

Elsewhere, Manchester United will go back in for Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose, and they may face competition from Inter Milan, say the Mirror.

Danny Rose
United bound? Jose Mourinho is keen on Rose Credit: Rex Features

Rose is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and Jose Mourinho still wants to improve his options in that position.

But Spurs have already sold Kyle Walker to Manchester City this summer for in excess of £50m, and chairman Daniel Levy will demand a huge fee if United are to firm up their interest. 

Rose has been recovering from a knee injury over the summer.

Some Stoke news now, where Mark Hughes hopes to wrap up a couple of deals in the coming days.

Their record signing, Gianelli Imbula is edging closer to completing a move to French side Monaco, who are desperate for players having been picked apart over the summer, while it is hoped Bruno Martin Indi, who spent last season on loan at Stoke, will soon sign on a £7m permanent deal. Those stories are from L'Equipe and the Stoke Sentinel, respectively.

Newcastle remain favourites to sign Arsenal forward Lucas Perez, according to reports in Spain.

Lucas Perez
Lucas Perez is surplus to requirements at Arsenal Credit: Getty images

Rafa Benitez's team have been linked all summer with a move for a player who failed to make an impact in his one season in London, though a move has failed to materialise so far.

But Arsenal's bloated squad needs trimming and Benitez remains keen. Arsenal's £13.5m valuation is the stumbling block for now.

 

And the rest

Takeover rumour of the day

Get this: The Daily Star report that a consortium led by Arsenal legend Tony Adams has agreed a deal to buy Crystal Palace for £200m.

Yes, Adams, along with former Chelsea chief executive Paul Smith have apparently been successful with their takeover bid, with Adams turning his back on management after an unsuccessful period in charge of Spanish side Granada.

Time to celebrate?

A big mistake

Former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko says the club are making a mistake by choosing not to bring defender Mamadou Sakho in from the cold.

“In defence, they have to make up for the absence of Mamadou Sakho,” Sissoko said. “I think that Mamadou’s commitment and leadership should be an asset for Klopp.

“I don’t know what happened between them, but I think Mamadou could have been an asset to the defence and the squad as a whole.”

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