Virgil van Dijk still wanted by Liverpool in £60m deal after Southampton defender ‘agreed terms with two clubs’
Dutch defender is still believed to be a target for Reds, Arsenal and Chelsea despite failing to leave St Mary's on deadline day
VIRGIL VAN DIJK is still in Liverpool's sights despite failing to escape Southampton.
The Dutch defender is a also a target for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Despite returning to first-team training, all three Prem giants remain keen.
And, according to journalist Gabriele Marcotti, the player had an agreement with two clubs as he waited for Saints to budge in their stance.
The player was kept in the cold by Saints during pre-season as he tried to push for a transfer to one of the top sides.
Van Dijk, 26, was ordered by the club to train by himself until he was fully committed after he told new boss Mauricio Pellegrino he wanted to leave.
He also issued a public statement demanding that Southampton let him go, stating the club had left him feeling "insulted" and "disappointed" when they ignored his request.
in August, Van Dijk said: “Unfortunately I feel I have no alternative (to hand in a transfer request) after I was given notice of the club’s intention to impose a disciplinary sanction against me of a fine equivalent to 2 weeks wages.
“I will be appealing what I feel to be an unjustified sanction and their inability to follow the correct disciplinary protocol in due course.
“I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer.
“I want to play European football again and challenge for major honours and as such I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist.
MORE SOUTHAMPTON NEWS
“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.”
It was reported that Van Dijk had refused to play for the Saints.
But it looks like he has given up on his dream move after being filmed at the club's training ground yesterday as he attempts to get fit following the international break.
Van Dijk has not played for Southampton since January when he picked up an ankle injury in a home win over Leicester.
