Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino was open to selling Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool in the summer, according to a report from the Times. The Argentine manager had reportedly told his side that he would be happy to sell Van Dijk but his board did not allow it.
Liverpool were the interested party as the Reds chased the Dutch defender all through the summer. From being reported to an illegal approach to signing the player to chasing him until the deadline day, Liverpool did everything they could to land him.
Jurgen Klopp identified the defender as his top priority to improve his back four and was keen to sign him this summer. He thought that he could land him as early as June but the Reds were dealt a blow when the Saints accused them of tapping-up the player.
Liverpool were forced to issue a public apology and dropped their interest thereafter, although they were given a ray of hope when the player went on strike and trained alone.
However, that was the end of that matter and Southampton refused to sell him at any price – they weren’t even willing to discuss the matter. All this will be seen in a different light now with Pellegrino coming out and saying that he recommended the sale of the player.
According to The Times, Pellegrino grew tired of Van Dijk’s attempts to quit St. Mary’s and would have happily sold him after a transfer request by the player to force a move through to Anfield.
He said,
“We have to accept that everybody can express on the pitch, Around the player there is a lot of interest. You know how it works by now, it is a big business behind them.
“In the past we were a game, now we are a game but also a big business, and we have to accept that. Around him also in the same situation. Now we have to leave aside the situation and now everything is normal.”
However, the Southampton board’s insistence meant that the move did not materialise and now, Van Dijk still remains a player of Southampton.
The 26-year-old was constantly on Liverpool’s transfer radar all through the summer. Even after the Champions League group stage draw against Sevilla, the thoughts of the fans veered back towards ‘what if Van Dijk had signed for the club’.
There is no doubt where Van Dijk stands in Klopp’s plans as he indicated recently that he has looked at various alternatives. But found no one good enough to go after once Van Dijk was unavailable.
How I wish Pellegrino was able to convince his board!
https://youtu.be/4ng5Nb4Cdk0
