Despite reports suggesting the contrary, Everton are not chasing the Saints’ team captain, according to one report.
The Liverpool Echo understands that Ronald Koeman will not be returning to his former employers in order to sign their star player.
Following season’s end the Dutchman has been busy recruiting, with no less than seven transfers already – three of those are over £20 million.
But he and his Toffees side will not be pursuing Virgil van Dijk, who is valued by the Saints as highly as £75 million.
Everton’s biggest rivals Liverpool were believed to have won the race for van Dijk towards the end of last season, until they were embarrassed by the south coast outfit for illegally tapping-up the Dutch defender.
Reports earlier this week suggested that Koeman, who left Southampton for the Toffees last summer, was interested in bringing in the man who he himself signed for the Saints two seasons ago.
However following the addition of Burnley’s Michael Keane for £25 million plus add-ons, it’s believed that they will cool any interest they may of had in Southampton’s van Dijk.
Despite spending the majority of the second half of last season injured, VVD’s stock has only been on the rise, with his value increasing for £40 million to £75 million in just a few months. It means that any deal involving the Dutch international would make him the most expensive defender in football history.
But Everton most certainly aren’t short on funds, following their takeover by a Chinese billionaire early last year. What’s more, it’s believed that Romelu Lukaku could soon leave the club, for a fee within the region of £75 million himself.
Van Dijk signed a new Southampton contract just last summer, committing himself to the club until the end of the 2021/22 season.