Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk getting desperate to join Liverpool amid fears Jurgen Klopp will move on to other targets
Jurgen Klopp will not wait all summer for the Dutch defender who is desperate to move to Anfield
VIRGIL VAN DIJK will plead with Southampton to let him move to Anfield – as he fears Liverpool will move on to other targets.
SunSport have been told the Dutch defender is becoming increasingly desperate for a St Mary's escape route before the transfer window shuts.
Van Dijk, valued at a staggering £60million, has demanded more showdown talks with the club in the hope they will change their minds and strike a deal with the Merseysiders.
However, the situation has reached an impasse as Southampton are refusing to put the defender up for sale.
New Saints boss and former Kop defender Mauricio Pellegrino has ordered the Dutchman to train alone less than two weeks before the start of the season.
With such a big cloud hanging over the future of the defender, it is no surprise he will not be anywhere near ready for the first league game of the campaign at home to Swansea.
The 26-year-old, who moved to the South Coast from Celtic in 2015 for £13million, knows the clock is ticking on his dream move.
The defender is also well aware Klopp has alternatives in mind if the German coach feels Liverpool are not making any inroads into ending the saga.
Tensions between the clubs have been bubbling for years, and were raised when Liverpool announced they ended interest in the defender amid a tapping-up row in June.
The Kop side have been plundering the top talent from St Mary's in recent years and the club don't want to be bullied into selling another star to Liverpool.
Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Sadio Mane, Ricky Lambert and Dejan Lovren have made the familiar trip to Anfield and the Saints are desperate to halt the trend.
But despite their tough stance, it looks as if the Saints could be preparing for his exit by lining up a £12m bid for Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt.
They have also been linked with a £20m move for Tottenham's Kevin Wimmer.