This could change the situation.
Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has been made train alone. According to new Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino, Van Dijk has said he wants to quit the club this summer, and as such has been excluded from the first-team squad.
“The boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave” Pellegrino told the Southern Daily Echo.
Liverpool fans react to news that Everton have bid £65m for Virgil van Dijk https://t.co/ITsbHvFNqC
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 9, 2017
The Saints manager also stressed that, despite making his captain train alone, the club do not want to sell him and the relationship between the pair has not been affected.
“My relationship with Virgil is excellent. I was clear with the boy, and I was talking from the first day with him. The club was clear. The club told me they will not sell Virgil.”
Pellegrino also said that he hopes the player, who has five years remaining on his contract, will reconsider his stance.
In June, it was reported that the Dutch defender had decided to sign for Liverpool, and the transfer fee would be £60m. Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell Southampton.
Virgil van Dijk's cryptic tweet provokes wide range of responses https://t.co/7yxnGZ5aOr
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 9, 2017
The Saints got wind of the reported agreement between Liverpool and Van Dijk, and raised the issue with the Premier League. Before the situation could develop any further, Liverpool performed a U-turn. They apologised to the club, and claimed their interest in the 25-year-old had ended.
The latest development in the Van Dijk transfer saga could reignite their interest in the defender.
It was certainly music to the ears of Liverpool fans, who are very excited by the prospect of Van Dijk at Anfield next season.
Looks like Van Dijk to Liverpool is well on its way now. #LFC
— Anfield Press (@AnfieldPress) July 21, 2017
"Added time at St Mary's here, Liverpool need a late goal to win the league"
"Henderson whips in the corner"
"VAN DIJK!!! They've done it!!" https://t.co/ZjfhxbhTi6— josh (@joshjsim) July 21, 2017
Hahahah Keita and Van dijk both forced to train alone by their clubs 😂 #YNWA #LFC
— 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙡 𝙄𝙫𝙖𝙣 𝙀𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙣 (@Espin_149) July 21, 2017
VAN DIJK IS ON! #LFC
— Toño Martínez Romo (@tonhomartinez15) July 21, 2017
Van Dijk training alone.. Kieta next please! pic.twitter.com/jaWE4ZFMn0
— James Brown (@JayGB1982) July 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/LFC_Articles/status/888440228930867200
what a signing VAN DIJK would/will be for Liverpool !
— Zain 🇵🇸 (@Zaneinho9) July 21, 2017
I heard Van Dijk is training alone. I'm sure Klopp would let you train with Liverpool.
— KloppFC (@Klopp4President) July 21, 2017
both #VanDijk and #NabyKeita wanting to leave.. things are getting really interesting now! #Liverpool
— Matt Price (@Matt_TheWhovian) July 21, 2017
