Liverpool confident of securing £50m deal for Premier League ace.
LIVERPOOL remain confident of sealing a £50m summer swoop for Virgil van Dijk - despite claims by Claude Puel he is staying at Southampton.
Posted Tuesday, May 09, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk
Southampton star Virgil van Dijk has been linked with Liverpool
Kop boss Jurgen Klopp has put Van Dijk - also interesting Manchester City and Chelsea - at the top of his shopping list.
The Dutch defender is understood to be keen on a switch to Anfield provided Klopp’s men finish in the top four.
Saints boss Puel insists his captain, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, will start next season at St Mary’s.
But the reality is if Liverpool stump up the cash and can offer Champions League football, Van Dijk is likely to be on his way.
Puel said: “Virgil had a bad injury, but now it’s okay, his surgery is finished and he can work normally and go into the gym for rehabilitation and come back next season with us ... with us!
"He’s our captain and he’s important for us. He has matured and taken leadership on the team. He’s a fantastic player we know well.
"He’s important for us and now, of course, we will wait to the beginning of the season to see him on the pitch with Southampton.”
Liverpool have raided Southampton for Rickie Lambert, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana in recent years.
But Puel said: “He has a long contract and the directors will want to keep him.”
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