Liverpool look set to break smash their transfer record to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.
According to several sources, Liverpool will pay £60m for the Dutch central defender, beating Manchester City to the player, and making Van Dijk the most expensive defender in football history.
Jurgen Klopp was said to be a factor in the 25-year-old choosing Anfield over City, while Chelsea were also said to be interested. Van Dijk joined Southampton from Celtic in 2015, costing £12m at the time.
The Dutch international will reportedly become Liverpool’s highest paid player, earning £200,000 a week.
What a signing! And what a fee! https://t.co/uFX9kVOuUK
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) June 5, 2017
Van Dijk is excellent in possession, a strong passer and physically imposing. However, some are convinced by the large fee, including BBC pundit Danny Mills.
The former Leeds United and England defender was on BBC 5 live on Monday night, and said the £60m fee is “ridiculous.
“He’s a great defender and if he goes to a better team training day in and day out with better players, playing alongside better players, possibly a slightly better coach as well, he will get better,” Mills said.
“But £50m or £60m is ridiculous.”
Football journalist Andy Brassell then correctly stated that the fee is almost irrelevant, because Liverpool can afford it and there aren’t many great central defenders available.
After all, City paid £47.5m for John Stones last summer. Who would you rather in your team, Stones or Van Dijk?
You can watch Mills talk about Van Dijk here:
"£50-60 million for van Dijk? It's ridiculous!"
Danny Mills and @AndyBrassell on the Dutchman's potential move away from #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/ZvzRWKmIBr
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) June 5, 2017
