Southampton: Virgil van Dijk claims to be fully committed to the Saints

In a report published in the Daily Echo last night, the Dutch centre-back claimed he has moved on from his transfer saga over the summer.

Southampton fans spent most of the summer unsure whether Les Reed and co. would stick to their word and hold onto Virgil van Dijk beyond the transfer window. Despite public comments by the 26-year-old expressing his desire to move on, he remains a Saints player, for now at least.

So far VVD’s only comments since the transfer window have been made whilst on international duty, and following their release he went on to claim that his words had been ‘twisted’.

Therefore, Van Dijk’s comments to the Echo are really his first since the whole fiasco over the summer, and he was gone on record to say that he has moved on and is committed to Southampton Football Club.

"“I’m giving 100 percent for the club, I work hard every day, I help my teammates and I’m positive and I want to win every game. That’s the situation right now.” – Van Dijk"

Since making his comeback in the 1-0 against Crystal Palace just over a month ago, Virgil has been a mainstay in the Southampton defence, with Wesley Hoedt and Maya Yoshida rotating next to him. Including his substitute appearance against Roy Hodgson’s side, the Dutchman has played six times so far this campaign.

The 26-year-old has also suggested that he feels like he is getting better game by game, after an extended period on the sidelines after Jamie Vardy injured him back in January.

Despite being originally named among one pre-season camp squad, Van Dijk didn’t feature at all over summer and has been working his way back to fitness ever since, playing with the Southampton Under-23’s for a handful of games too.

Next: Lallana set to return for Liverpool against Saints

"“I’m happy and that’s the most important thing. We’ll see what happens. I’m just getting back to pace and I feel like I’ve been growing every game. You know, coming back from an eight month injury is not easy but I’m feeling better every week.”"

What remains unclear is whether Virgil van Dijk’s head would be turned if the so-called ‘big teams’ came sniffing in January. Liverpool have conceded the second-most goals of any team in the top half and will almost certainly be looking for defensive reinforcements come the turn of the year.

Van Dijk can claim that he is fully committed to the Saints but if the opportunity once again arises for him to step up, would he want to stay with Southampton?