Liverpool’s pursuit of Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk may not be over yet, with claims that the player could still push for a move to Merseyside.
Liverpool released a statement on Wednesday night apologising to the south coast club and declaring that they “have ended any interest in the player.”
That statement and apology from Liverpool should mean no further action is taken by the Premier League.
But there have been claims that a deal may not be completely off the cards if the Dutchman himself pushes for a move by handing in a transfer request at St. Mary’s.
The Telegraph‘s Sam Wallace writes that “A world-record offer could possibly make them reconsider, but this summer the mood is very different to previous years.”
That’s not a very clear point though, given that reports were already claiming a £50 million or £60 million fee, which would have been a world-record offer for a defender, and we’re surely not talking about £90 million!
The Times‘ Paul Joyce notes the potential for the player himself now to force through a move.
In 2014, Dejan Lovren handed in a transfer request to force through a move to Anfield.
The Mirror claim Liverpool is still Van Dijk’s preferred destination this summer, and that “If Van Dijk is insistent he will only move to Anfield, then his only hope is that, however unlikely, Liverpool’s unprecedented apology persuades Saints to relent, and open talks later in the summer when the drama has abated.”
Meanwhile, further details have emerged over the role FSG played in making the public apology, with the Reds’ owners reportedly “extremely concsious about the club’s image.”
With the club currently serving a ban on domestic youth signings, FSG seemingly didn’t want to risk further sanctions.
It’s claimed that sporting director Michael Edwards, who is responsible for transfer negotiations, will be asked about how the club have got it so wrong.
New chief executive Peter Moore will meet his Premier League counterparts at a meeting of the Premier League on Thursday, including representatives from Southampton. It’s claimed that Moore will attempt to resurrect the deal.
Van Dijk was Jurgen Klopp‘s main target this summer.
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