Liverpool looked set to make one of the biggest signings of the summer, a real statement of intent.
Virgil van Dijk was said to be a transfer target for Chelsea and Manchester City, and is good enough to improve any Premier League team. However, reports emerged earlier this week claiming the Southampton defender had decided to sign for Liverpool.
Van Dijk would cost £60m and become the club's highest paid player, with Jurgen Klopp understood to be a key factor in his decision. Liverpool were smashing their transfer record, but for an excellent player, in a position that has been a headache for the team in the past. Fans of the Anfield club were rightly excited.
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Then it hit the skids. Southampton got wind of the reported agreement between Liverpool and Van Dijk, who is the club's captain and has five years remaining on his contract. They raised the issue with the Premier League, but, before things could develop any further, Liverpool performed an embarrassing U-turn.
They apologised to the Saints, and claimed their interest in the 25-year-old had ended.
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Everyone associated with Liverpool, including
Jamie Carragher, was understandably pissed off over the incident and losing out on such a good player.
However, according to reports, the deal might not be completely dead. According to Paul Joyce of
the Times, the Premier League is unlikely to open an investigation if the two clubs can resolve their differences.
While, if Van Dijk remains interested in joining Liverpool, and pushes for a move before the transfer window closes, the deal could potentially materialise.
Sam Wallace of
the Telegraph writes that Southampton are reluctant to lose one of their best players, but a world record bid from Liverpool could still possibly make them reconsider their stance.
So, this transfer saga might not be over yet. Liverpool are said to have other defenders in mind if they are unable to sign Van Dijk, but the Netherlands international was evidently their first choice transfer target.
