Virgil van Dijk wanted by Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United as Southampton fight to keep defender
Dutch ace is one of the hottest properties in English football at present with a series of strong performances for Saints
SOUTHAMPTON centre-back Virgil van Dijk has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League this season and he is certainly not short of suitors.
The 25-year-old Dutch international has been outstanding for the Saints and is reportedly on the wish list of several top clubs as the January transfer window approaches.
With his speed, intelligence, physicality and ability on the ball, Van Dijk is the complete modern defender.
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Despite having only moved to St. Mary’s from Scottish champions Celtic in the summer of 2015, and having signed a new contract with the South Coast club at the end of last season, rumours persist of a possible £40million move to one of the Premier League’s big hitters.
- who run a series of complex algorithms to get to the bottom of the hottest transfer stories - have had a look at the teams in the running to sign Van Dijk and analysed how he would fit into each side.
Chelsea – 2.2
LEAGUE-LEADERS Chelsea are enjoying a remarkable run of form. Ever since manager Antonio Conte made the switch to 3-4-3, the Blues have been unstoppable, winning ten straight Premier League fixtures.
Though the Stamford Bridge side’s defence has been impressive in recent weeks, Conte is keen on bolstering his defensive options in January, with rumours of a move for AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli and others mooted in the press.
But the Daily Record reported yesterday that Chelsea have turned their attention to Van Dijk, and have stolen a march on their title rivals in the race to sign the highly-rated centre-back.
With David Luiz in excellent form since re-joining the west Londoners this summer, Van Dijk would likely compete with Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta for a spot either side of the Brazilian in Conte’s back three.
Liverpool – 1.3
THE SUN reported last month that Jurgen Klopp is a keen admirer of Van Dijk and will make a £40m bid for the 25-year-old’s services once the transfer window re-opens.
The Reds have a track record of buying key players from Southampton, having snapped up the likes of Sadio Mane, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne over the last few years, so it stands to reason that they’d be looking to do the same with Van Dijk.
The Merseysiders have been scintillating in attack this season but have shipped more goals than any other top-seven side and Klopp will want to sure up his back-line in January in hope of helping Liverpool make a serious bid for a first league title since 1990.
If Van Dijk moves to Anfield, it is likely Lovren and Joel Matip will be left to battle it out for a starting place alongside the Dutchman.
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Manchester City – 1.2
MAN CITY'S defensive frailties have been well documented of late. Despite splashing out £47.5m on John Stones over the summer, Pep Guardiola’s side have been leaking goals at an alarming rate.
It has been widely reported that, if he were to leave St. Mary’s, Van Dijk’s preference would be for a switch to the Etihad.
The elegant Dutch defender would make the perfect foil for the gifted yet error-prone Stones at the heart of City’s defence, meaning Guardiola would no longer have to rely on the injury-ravaged Vincent Kompany or the often-calamitous Nicolas Otamendi.
Manchester United – 1.0
MAN UNITED manager Jose Mourinho is said to be desperate to sign a top-class centre-back in January.
The Red Devils have been linked with another Southampton defender, Jose Fonte, but The Sunday People reported last month that Mourinho feels Van Dijk has the requisite aggression to toughen up his back-line.
With Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo exceeding expectations in the centre of United’s defence while Eric Bailly was out injured, Mourinho’s need for a new centre-back may be less urgent.
But if a player of Van Dijk’s calibre became available, the 20-time champions would surely be ready to pounce.