Liverpool reportedly close to sealing huge transfer for Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool could yet land their number one transfer target before this week’s deadline, with Southampton’s van Dijk seemingly set for Anfield.

According to multiple sources over the past 12-14 hours, Virgil van Dijk may of just sealed his move to Liverpool, in a blockbuster deal that could make him one of the most expensive players of all time.

Excluding the deal for Mohammed Salah, the Reds have been relatively unsuccessful with their dealings this summer, having to bite the bullet with Naby Keita and sign him next year whilst withstanding as many as four official bids for Philippe Coutinho.

However, they may of finally resolved their defensive issues as Virgil van Dijk’s transfer to the club may of finally gathered some pace, after weeks of false rumours and boring hashtags.

The deal in question could be as much as £75 million or even £81 million – laughably good money for a centre-back who hasn’t played a game of football since January. It would make van Dijk comfortably the most expensive defender of all time, surpassing the fee rivals Manchester City spent on Benjamin Mendy earlier this summer.

Should Southampton take the money?

The Saints are in a tricky position IF Liverpool have offered the kind of money that they have in a desperate attempt to land the Dutchman.

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Van Dijk’s value has seemingly almost doubled since season’s end, putting the club in a difficult position to turn it down.

Previously Southampton have been stern and dug their heels in regarding the sale of the 26-year-old, but that hasn’t put Jurgen Klopp off continuously attempting to sign the defender.

Having not played in pre-season van Dijk has been getting match fit with Southampton’s Under-23 side, but he’s still unlikely to be able to play a full 90 minutes until the tail-end of the next month. Steven Davis has said that the Saints players would welcome VVD back with open arms, but reintegration back into the first team still seems an unlikely long-term scenario.

Southampton would face the wrath of a solid portion of their supporters, but a good chunk of them have also come to the realization that van Dijk wants to leave, has burnt his bridges, and is earning a hell of a lot of money to not be playing.