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Pellegrino says Cédric Soares and Virgil van Dijk will stay at Saints

By Christian Bird

NORWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
NORWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Southampton at Carrow Road on January 7, 2017 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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Big names are to remain at the club as Mauricio Pellegrino stamps his authority. The manager who has recently signed for Southampton made it his priority to keep the likes of Cédric Soares and Virgil van Dijk at the club next season.

Van Dijk initially has sparked interest across a vast range of clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, three giants in the English football game, valued between £40-60 million.

Cédric meanwhile has been linked with appealing moves to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, and has reportedly been taken a close look at by Spanish runners’ up Barcelona.

Executive Director of Southampton Football Club Les Reed, says Pellegrino has done his ‘homework’ and insists that he believes in the squad.

Sky Sports News HQ reported earlier on that the Managing Director felt Southampton needs to invest in young players for the future, however, the squad is currently strong.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Oriol Romeu of Southampton (14) celebrates as he scores their first goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 25: Oriol Romeu of Southampton (14) celebrates as he scores their first goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge on April 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

The squad will be even stronger having secured the futures of van Dijk and Soares, but still are a few holes that need filling, with Ryan Bertrand remaining strongly linked to Manchester City, and Gabbiadini informing the media that he would like to return to Italy somewhere in the near future.

Saints should start looking for his replacement now even though his contract expires in June 2021. However, the pressure has been taken off of the club by the new manager, keeping van Dijk and Soares at St Mary’s for another season at least.

Saints will look for future prospects at the club, as James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond, who had an inspiring European campaign, despite losing in the Semi-Final penalty shoot-out to Germany, are stepping up to senior level.

There’s plenty of depth in the squad, as Les Reed implied himself, from high-quality defenders such as Virgil van Dijk and Cédric Soares, to talented young wingers like Sofiane Boufal and Nathan Redmond.

However, the finger will be pointing towards Mauricio Pellegrino to bring his philosophy and European knowledge to sign real talents for Saints before the season commences.

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