Stuart Pearce is confident that Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk will join Liverpool this summer.
Former England defender Stuart Pearce expects Liverpool to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk in the summer transfer window.
The Reds were poised to sign the Dutch international in the summer, but they officially backed off from the race after Southampton complained to the Premier League for what they felt was as an illegal approach.
However, Pearce, the former England manager, still believes that Van Dijk will land up at Liverpool before the transfer window ends.
Pearce has hailed Van Dijk as an “outstanding” central defender, and says he is one of best available centre-backs in the Premier League.
The 55-year-old believes that it will take another couple of weeks to get the deal over the line.
“I think he’s an outstanding central defender, I think he’ll end up at Liverpool,” said Pearce on Sky Sports News (h/t The Daily Star)
“I think it might take a couple of weeks to get over the line.
“It’s a disappointing situation for Southampton, there’s no doubt about that but I think movement will happen with Van Dijk.
“He’s certainly one of the best centre-halves available at present in this country. I think he will end up at Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Dutch defender has told Southampton of his desire to leave the club ahead of the 2017/18 Premier League season.
He has been reportedly training separate from Mauricio Pellegrino’s squad, and there is a high possibility that he could be sold.
Van Dijk has moved to force through his exit, and handed in a transfer request on Monday.
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