Virgil van Dijk tells Jurgen Klopp he wants to join Liverpool: Southampton to ask for £60m

SOUTHAMPTON’s £60m rated defender Virgil van Dijk has told Jurgen Klopp that he wants to join his Liverpool revolution.

Posted Tuesday, June 06, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has agreed to join Liverpool

The Dutch International looked like he was on his way to moneybags Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s summer rebuild.

Champions Chelsea were expected to be the only club with the financial clout to challenge City for the 25-year-old’s signature.

But manager Klopp’s powers of persuasion have won the battle to convince van Dijk that his best move is to Anfield.

Now the hard work begins with Klopp needing to agree a fee with the Saints.

Klopp has been promised between £100 and £150m to spend this summer, depending on what he can raise in sales.

And he is prepared to shell out a large chunk of that cash to match his two rivals by meeting Southampton’s huge asking price.

Klopp has also launched a charm offensive which, sources say, has turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour.

The German has spoken passionately about his vision for returning the Reds to the top of the European game following their Champions League comeback.

And that, according to Anfield sources, has captured Van Dijk’s imagination as he weighs up where to play next season.

Liverpool are also believed to be ready to match whatever salary offer their rivals are prepared to table.

That could see Van Dijk sign a deal not far from the new £150,000-a-week contract handed to star midfielder Philippe Coutinho midway through last season.

Klopp’s confidence that he could be close to a deal appeared to be reflected by the bookies yesterday as they stopped taking bets on the star moving to Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk tells Jurgen Klopp he wants to join Liverpool: Southampton to ask for £60m

SOUTHAMPTON’s £60m rated defender Virgil van Dijk has told Jurgen Klopp that he wants to join his Liverpool revolution.

Virgil van Dijk agrees to join Liverpool ahead of Man City and ChelseaGETTY

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has agreed to join Liverpool

The Dutch International looked like he was on his way to moneybags Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s summer rebuild.

Champions Chelsea were expected to be the only club with the financial clout to challenge City for the 25-year-old’s signature.

But manager Klopp’s powers of persuasion have won the battle to convince van Dijk that his best move is to Anfield.

Now the hard work begins with Klopp needing to agree a fee with the Saints.

Klopp has been promised between £100 and £150m to spend this summer, depending on what he can raise in sales.

And he is prepared to shell out a large chunk of that cash to match his two rivals by meeting Southampton’s huge asking price.

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Klopp has also launched a charm offensive which, sources say, has turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour.

The German has spoken passionately about his vision for returning the Reds to the top of the European game following their Champions League comeback.

And that, according to Anfield sources, has captured Van Dijk’s imagination as he weighs up where to play next season.

Liverpool are also believed to be ready to match whatever salary offer their rivals are prepared to table.

That could see Van Dijk sign a deal not far from the new £150,000-a-week contract handed to star midfielder Philippe Coutinho midway through last season.

Klopp’s confidence that he could be close to a deal appeared to be reflected by the bookies yesterday as they stopped taking bets on the star moving to Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk shows off his defensive skills

However, one player who does not appear to be heading to Liverpool - this summer at least - is Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.

The 22-year-old helped his club qualify for the Champions League and his boss Ralph Hasenhuttl insists he will not leave.

He said: “He feels well, and we love him. We are a super exciting club. Naby sees how much the coaching staff invest to make him better.

“If I take the celebrations after qualifying for the Champions League as a benchmark, Naby will stay with us forever. You just don’t just leave a squad like ours.”