Liverpool ready to revive £60million move for Virgil van Dijk after Southampton defender hands in transfer request
LIVERPOOL set to rekindle their interest in Virgil van Dijk after the defender hit the club with a transfer request.
The Reds cooled their interest in the Dutchman after a tapping-up row with the Saints, but now, according to the Daily Express, the Merseysiders are back in the hunt.
Van Dijk has called on Southampton to let him leave so he can challenge for major domestic and European trophies.
Chelsea are also keen on the 26-year-old defender but Anfield is his preferred destination if a deal can be agreed.
Saints have so far remained firm in their stance Van Dijk is going nowhere – but new boss Mauricio Pellegrino will want an end to the saga as soon as possible.
Van Dijk penned a new six-year contract last summer and has cut a frustrated figure in recent months feeling the chance to move to Anfield has passed him by.
He was left out the Saints' pre-season tour of France and was order to train away from the rest of the squad.
The defender is not expected be considered for the opening game of the season at home to Swansea on Saturday.
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The former Celtic star released a statement on Monday confirming his desire to leave St Mary’s.
He said: “Over the past six months I have held numerous discussions with representatives of the board, the former manager Claude Puel as well as the new manager Mauricio Pellegrino to inform them all of my desire to leave the club in search of a new challenge.
“I have been left frustrated by the club’s position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.
“I have consistently relayed my feelings to senior management at Southampton in what I believed to be private and personal conversations. Disappointingly, these conversations have regularly found their way into the media.”
Virgil van Dijk - 'better and quicker than Rio Ferdinand'
- Van Dijk was born in Breda, Holland, on July 8 1991.
- He grew up pretending to be Ronaldinho when he played street football.
- He spent a year with Willem II as a youth before moving to Groningen.
- After graduating from their academy in 2011 Van Dijk played 66 times for the Eredivisie club over three seasons, scoring seven times.
- Celtic gave Van Dijk his break in British football by moving in 2013 and the Dutchman quickly established himself in their first team.
- The 6ft 4ins defender's form saw Southampton make a move in 2015 and after 68 appearances in two seasons Champions League clubs are circling.
- Van Dijk's international career began in 2015 and he has since played 12 times for his country.
- Pundit Tony Cascarino described van Dijk as "even better and quicker than Rio Ferdinand".
He added: "I can confirm I was asked about my frame of mind and for all of the reasons mentioned above I was open and honest in saying that I did not feel I was in a settled mindset given the circumstances.
“Following this conversation, the manager explained that he only wanted players who he felt were 100 per cent committed to Southampton and told me I would therefore have to train away from the first team.
“I had very much hoped to retain the good relationship I’ve always enjoyed with everyone at the club, especially the fans, but unfortunately in light of everything that’s happened this has now been seriously affected.”
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