Liverpool have officially confirmed that they have agreed a deal for Southampton superstar Virgil van Dijk for a fee that eclipses all other deals for a defender.
Liverpool have released an official confirmation that they have agreed a deal for Southampton superstar Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman was linked with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. But, it is the Anfield outfit that has managed to land the player in a record deal for a defender.
While the official confirmation does not entail a specific number, there are various reports speculating that the fee is close to £75 million, making van Dijk the most expensive defender in footballing history.
The defender posed with a Liverpool shirt in his hand, with the confirmation stating that the transfer will take place once the January transfer window opens while also highlighting the fact that the player has been assigned the number four.
The club statement read,“ Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk. The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018.”
“The Netherlands international will be assigned squad number four, upon his arrival at Liverpool.”
Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2017
Liverpool’s troubles at the back have been all the more evident in the last couple of months. Dejan Lovren has continued his habit of being inconsistent while Ragnar Klavan has been deemed good enough only to act as a backup and not a regular starter for a club like Liverpool.
That leaves Joel Matip as the only recognised centre-back at Klopp’s disposal, atleast the only one which the manager can trust.
The news comes hours after reports that speculated Southampton’s willingness to do a deal for van Dijk for a fee around the £70 million mark, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City the mentioned suitors.
Pep Guardiola had been in search of a centre-back since the summer, with Jonny Evans the primary target. The manager though, seemed to have shifted his attention to van Dijk for the January transfer window, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and others joining their chase of the West Brom defender.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have been looking to add to their options in central defence – a search that needs to be accentuated after reports of a falling out between David Luiz and the manager came to the fore.
But, it seems Liverpool have moved quickly to secure a deal for van Dijk and the Kop Army will be delighted with the urgency shown by their club in the transfer market. The fee might irk a bit, but given the current situation of the market and Liverpool’s need for a top class centre-back, it is something that needed to be done.
It will be interesting to see whether van Dijk’s introduction can solve Liverpool’s problems at the back.
