Liverpool end interest in Van Dijk after Southampton row

Liverpool face a Premier League probe following their attempts to sign the Southampton defender, with allegations they have made an illegal approach for the Netherlands global.

Over the last week, we’ve seen numerous reports and rumors that Liverpool were chasing Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

It follows suggestions that Southampton were prepared to report Liverpool to the Premier League over what they considered to be an illegal approach for the 25-year-old. “Yes”, Krueger said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

The Blues had made Van Dijk their top transfer target but the Dutchman is understood to prefer a move to Liverpool as he wants to play under Jurgen Klopp.

Celtic will get 10 per cent of any fee Southampton receive for van Dijk – due to a clause inserted in the defender’s contract when he joined the Saints in August 2015. The Saints have been a feeding ground for Liverpool in recent years with the likes of Sadio Mané, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren all arriving from the South Coast in the last few years.

In what represents a major statement of intent from Liverpool and a breakthrough for Klopp, the centre-back has told his suitors and Southampton that he favours a move to Merseyside.

Van Dijk is under contract at Southampton until 2022, which has given the Saints leverage in negotiations.

Chelsea won the Premier League title in their first season under Antonio Conte and the west London side are looking for a defender to fill John Terry’s void.

Physically strong and comfortable on the ball, van Dijk has also been a threat from set-pieces. “The 6’4” Dutchman made an instant impact at the club thanks to his strong presence in the air while his positional discipline saw him average almost three interceptions a game.