Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp believes that Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk will join Liverpool (Sky Sports).
The central defender has been linked to Anfield all through the summer and the saga looks to have reached its climax. The Saints rejected the advances of the Reds and held firm to their opinion of keeping the player at the club.
Earlier in the summer, Liverpool had to abruptly end their pursuit after Southampton complained to the FA about illegal player tapping. The club had to issue a public apology and announce that the Van Dijk pursuit had come to an end.
However, the Southampton man had his mind set on a move to Liverpool and did not join the Saints’ pre-season tour. He was made to train alone after being ordered to do so by Saints’ manager Mauricio Pellegrino.
Transfer Request
The former Celtic player was a wanted man, with several clubs being interested in his services. With Southampton insisting that they have no intention of selling him, Van Dijk had to place a formal transfer request.
Redknapp believes that the pull of working with Jurgen Klopp is strong enough for the player to reject any advances of other clubs and sign with Liverpool.
He was talking on ‘The Debate’ during Monday night’s Sky Sports show and said that Van Dijk will reject Chelsea even though the pull of being in London is far more than moving to Liverpool.
“It’s a difficult one (to choose between Liverpool and Chelsea). There’s the pull of London, for a lot of players that’s a big thing,” he said.
“But from what I hear Jurgen Klopp is a really big pull for him. He wants to play for Klopp and Liverpool need a centre-back desperately.”
Southampton Will Be Forced Now
The Saints will now have to listen to offers despite their reluctance to sell him this summer. Van Dijk wants to play Champions League football and test himself at higher levels and the South Coast club will not be able to offer him this step-up.
Van Dijk signed an extension with the club recently and Southampton value him between £50m – £70m as reported by The Times.
He has been an imposing figure in the defence for Southampton and the Kop faithful will hope that he brings the same form with him to Liverpool.
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