Van Dijk has been in impressive form this season for Southampton including in the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
Southampton manager Claude Puel seems pretty relaxed about the future of his defender Virjil van Dijk, according to the Daily Echo, although he seems determined to enjoy the player’s progress with the club.
Van Dijk put in another excellent defensive display at the weekend during the Saints’ 0-0 draw with Liverpool at St Mary’s, but some will be wary that his performances will be attracting potential suitors.
Puel is quoted in the Daily Echo, saying: “For now he is with us and I am enjoying having this player with the squad and I hope for the future also.
“The club want to keep a good ambition on this league and for the future. We will see.
“I enjoy when all the players can improve because it’s the philosophy of the club like van Dijk, like all the young players of the team, all these players, and with all these many games to play different competitions with quality and to continue this work.
“We will see the future if he can continue this work.”
Given that plenty of players have moved on from Southampton in recent seasons for big transfer fees, it is of little surprise that there are suggestions that Van Dijk could be among the next big money moves out of the club.
Nevertheless, Puel does suggest that he wants to keep hold of him; but then he is never going to say he wants to get rid of one of the side’s most impressive performers.
It would be something of a blow if he were to move on, as the Dutchman has formed arguably the best central defensive partnership in the league with Jose Fonte, but the club has shown time and again that they can cope with such departures.
For now Van Dijk remains a Southampton player, and if he keeps getting better over the course of the season, then the side as a whole is bound to benefit from that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
