Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has been targeted by the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
Liverpool and Manchester United look set to miss out on signing Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk during the summer as The Sun is claiming that he is expected to remain on the south coast beyond the next window.
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The Sun reports that van Dijk was expected to be the latest high-profile name to swap the Saints for one of their Premier League rivals – Manchester City joined Liverpool and Jose Mourinho’s men in the running – or perhaps another European giant with Paris Saint-Germain also keen.
Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk
However, following Jose Fonte’s departure to West Ham in January, the former Celtic man was made captain and The Sun reports that that decision was taken on the understanding that he would remain a Southampton player until the end of next season at the very least.
The news that the 25-year-old is reportedly set to remain at St Mary’s for at least one more season will undoubtedly provide Claude Puel’s men with a lift, as the Saints had certainly earned themselves a reputation for being unable to hold onto their best players.
Southampton manager Claude Puel
And while that strategy has not hurt them too much in recent years, fans have only been able to dream about what kind of team they could have had, and they would be forgiven for worrying about their luck running out at some stage when the signings they make are simply unable to rival the men they have replaced.
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Liverpool are perhaps the team that will be hurt the most by van Dijk’s apparent decision to stay put. The Reds’ defence has arguably been the one thing that has cost them dearly in the title race, and Jurgen Klopp may have felt that the centre-back could have been an excellent addition.
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