Southampton and Liverpool have both today confirmed an agreement for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk for a record transfer fee for a defender.
This news comes after the Dutch defender’s omission from Southampton’s last two matchday squads, amidst much speculation from both sets of supporters.
Both club statements were relatively brief, but both confirmed that van Dijk would arrive at the Merseyside club on January 1st, when the transfer window officially swings open. Liverpool also added that the ex-Celtic man would wear the number four shirt at Anfield.
Virgil took to Twitter to address the news and his statement reads:
"“Delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool FC player! Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football! I can’t wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time and will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come.“I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Les Reed, the board, manager, players, fans and everyone at Southampton. I will always be indebted to the club for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and despite a difficult last few months I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Saints and have made friends for life at the club. Thank you for everything!“Thank you for all the messages of support [and] I’m now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting started #YNWA”"
Many Saints fans will be disappointed to let yet another top player slip through their fingers to Liverpool – following the departures of Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and the now-retired Rickie Lambert.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
Les Reed and the rest of the Southampton board stood firm over summer despite the 26-year-old’s demands, with the club insisting that they were in position to sell.
However, pending some important behind-the-scenes decisions, some real investment could be made in January with the transfer fee rumoured to be around the £75 million mark. New blood is also on the agenda of manager Mauricio Pellegrino, who expressed his desire to bring in new faces after another abject 5-2 loss away at Tottenham.
The fanbase is likely to be split on the decision to sell the Dutch ace in the January window with the Premier League’s trapdoor just at arm’s length, but the massive transfer fee will sweeten the pill.