Liverpool transfer news: Reds bosses vetoed deal to sign Virgil van Dijk for a fraction of £50million price-tag, according to former manager Brendan Rodgers
Southampton star is now one of the most in-demand defenders in world football - and Liverpool could have had him in 2013
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LIVERPOOL turned down the chance to sign Virgil van Dijk for a fraction of his £50million price-tag, according to former boss Brendan Rodgers.
The Southampton star is one of the most in-demand defenders in world football – with the Reds set to battle Manchester City, Man United and Chelsea for his signature in the summer.
But Rodgers – who was axed by Liverpool last season – has revealed he asked the Anfield board to snap up the Dutchman BEFORE he moved to England.
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And the now- chief claims he was told by the Reds’ much-maligned ‘transfer committee’ that Van Dijk “wouldn’t be for us”.
Rodgers, 44, said: “When I was at Liverpool I asked about Van Dijk when he was at Groningen and then at Celtic - but I was told he wouldn’t be for us at the time.
“Van Dijk could have jumped from Celtic to a Liverpool. Some clubs will want to see the players tested at certain arenas first.
“But if there is enough belief in the player then that counts. The key for scouting is trying to predict when the player is peaking.
“You could see with Van Dijk that he was quick, strong, good on the ball and decent in the air.
“So what more do you need to see? You could see him playing international football and, okay, clubs may want to see him in Champions League.”
Van Dijk, 25, instead joined Celtic in a £2.6m deal in 2013 before moving to St Mary’s for £13m at the beginning of last season.
He has played 30 games for Saints in all competitions this term – helping Saints keep 12 clean sheets before being sidelined with an ankle injury.