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Southampton receive no bids for Virgil van Dijk a week after he hands in transfer request

Defender released a statement confessing his desire to leave St Mary's after being heavily linked with Liverpool

SOUTHAMPTON are yet to receive any bids for Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City target Virgil van Dijk - a week after he handed in a transfer request.

The Dutchman attempted to force a move away from St Mary's after releasing a statement to say he wants to leave Saints.

 Southampton are yet to receive any bids for Virgil van Dijk
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Southampton are yet to receive any bids for Virgil van DijkCredit: PA:Press Association

Since handing in a transfer request, the Holland international has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.



And according to the , despite increased interest, no clubs have submitted an official offer.

Southampton are reportedly adamant to block Liverpool's move for the defender, after they have signed a number of their stars in the past.

The South Coast side don't appear to be fazed by the transfer request and will only sell the defender for the right price.

It is believed Southampton are holding out for more than £60million for Van Dijk.

Southampton hope Van Dijk is open to the idea of playing in the first team again if he fails to secure a move away from St Mary's.

 The defender handed in a transfer request a week ago
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The defender handed in a transfer request a week agoCredit: PA:Press Association
 Liverpool are interested in the defender along with Chelsea and Man City
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Liverpool are interested in the defender along with Chelsea and Man CityCredit: Reuters

As things stand, Van Dijk is out of contention for Southampton's season opener against Swansea on Saturday at St Mary's.

Van Dijk made his stance on the situation very clear after releasing a lengthy and in-depth statement.

His statement read: “It is with regret that I can confirm that I have today handed in a transfer request to leave Southampton football club.

“Unfortunately I feel I have no alternative after I was given notice of the club’s intention to impose a disciplinary sanction against me of a fine equivalent to 2 weeks wages.

“I will be appealing what I feel to be an unjustified sanction and their inability to follow the correct disciplinary protocol in due course.

“Over the past six months I have held numerous discussions with representatives of the board, the former manager Claude Puel as well as the new manager Mauricio Pellegrino to inform them all of my desire to leave the club in search of a new challenge.

 The defender was a key player for Saints last season
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The defender was a key player for Saints last seasonCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The defender has spoke with Mauricio Pellegrino
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The defender has spoke with Mauricio PellegrinoCredit: Rex Features

“I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer.  I want to play European football again and challenge for major honours and as such I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist.

“I have been left frustrated by the club’s position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.”

 Virgil van Dijk is looking to force a move away from St Mary's
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Virgil van Dijk is looking to force a move away from St Mary'sCredit: Getty - Contributor


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