Manchester City are all set to scupper Liverpool’s transfer plans by making a move for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk. The 25-year-old has become one of the most wanted players in the Premier League with several clubs in the queue to sign him. Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal are after him.

Only a few days ago, it emerged that the player had reportedly told his friends that he favours a move to Liverpool largely because he is a huge fan of manager Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Just as Liverpool were basking in confidence that a deal could be completed in the next few weeks, it is understood that Manchester City have made a mammoth offer to the player.

Apart from meeting the £50million transfer demands of Southampton, it has also been reported by The Times that Manchester City are ready to offer £180,000 per week for the player. This represents a humongous increase on his current wages of around £45,000 per week. Even if Van Dijk decides to join Liverpool, he would be earning nowhere near this figure. The highest paid player at Liverpool – Philippe Coutinho – does not make more than £150,000 per week.

Van Dijk has become one of the top defenders in the Premier league since he came from Celtic for around £13 million two years ago. The interest in the defender has not waned even though he missed the second half of the campaign with a serious knee injury. It was thought that clubs would have their doubts about his ability to recover to his strength, but the escalating transfer interest seems to prove otherwise.

We would have been at a serious disadvantage had we failed to reach the top four. As it is, Klopp will once again be managing in the Champions League having led the club back to the premier European competition after a gap of a few years.

The Kop Times Verdict

Undoubtedly, City will tempt him with a huge amount of money. But moving to Liverpool would be a sensible decision by the player. He could become Liverpool’s first choice centre-back for the next 5 years at the very least.

Play for a historic club like Liverpool with some wonderful ‘FANS’ in the stadium. Now that looks like a better prospect than playing in an empty stadium!