Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Southampton stopper Virgil van Dijk has chosen Liverpool as his preferred destination this summer, according to several reports.
The Saints skipper is a target for several clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City after showing impressive form since arriving at St. Mary’s in an £11.5m deal from Celtic in September 2015.
Liverpool have yet to comment on the rumours, but Sky Sports reported the Anfield club are prepared to break their transfer record to secure his services.
Man City coach Pep Guardiola had identified van Dijk as a target while Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is also said to be a big fan of the 25-year old Dutch international.
Southampton want to keep him and chairman Ralph Krueger said last month that the Saints would reject bids of up to £60m for their defensive kingpin.
Jurgen Klopp, however, is reportedly determined to land Van Dijk and is willing to splash the cash.
Sky also reported that Van Dijk has been swayed by Klopp's involvement in the potential deal.
Were Van Dijk to make the Anfield switch, he would be the latest in a string of Saints players to make a similar move in recent years along with Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.
Betting companies have suspended any bets on the Dutchman joining the Reds in what can be seen as the most significant indicator at the potential transfer.
BREAKING: We've suspended betting on Virgil Van Dijk joining Liverpool #LFC pic.twitter.com/FLaJ6CDdDp
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) June 5, 2017
