BREAKING: Virgil van Dijk tells Southampton he wants to leave

Southampton talisman Virgil van Dijk will NOT travel to France with the rest of the Saints squad next week, according to Mauricio Pellegrino.

The van Dijk transfer saga seems like one of the most dragged-out fiascoes in modern Southampton history, but before today it was mostly smoke without fire.

However in a breaking report in the Daily Echo, it has been revealed that the Dutch defender will train alone after asking to leave the club.

Liverpool have had their sights set on van Dijk since the start of the transfer window, with the club looking to raid the Saints again in order to bolster their defence.

Previously neither VVD nor his agent had commented on the matter, meaning Southampton fans had no real idea whether the centre-back saw his long term future on the south coast.

However, new boss Mauricio Pellegrino has told the Echo that the former Celtic man has asked to leave, and will thus train alone next week. He said:

"“The boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave. This is the decision.“I had to say ‘if you don’t want to be involved because you don’t feel OK then you have to train alone until this period of time happens.“My relationship with Virgil is excellent. I was clear with the boy, and I was talking from the first day with him.”"

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Virgil van Dijk of Southampton looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Southampton will travel to Saint-Etienne next week for their second camp of their pre-season, and will face the French outfit in a friendly at the weekend.

However van Dijk – who was listed in the 28-man squad for the trip to Austria – will not travel, with Pellegrino hoping he will change his mind about his future as team captain.

Virgil’s future with the side had been up in the air for most of the summer, with reports of as much as a £70 million bid coming from the Reds as they hope to mount a title challenge once again.

Van Dijk was signed from Scottish champions Cetlic two years ago, and signed a fresh, six-year contract with the Saints just last summer, which sees him tied down with the side until 2022.

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