Sky Sports reporter Jane Dougall has been told that Southampton will not be entertaining any bids for Virgil Van Dijk this summer, despite interest from Arsenal and other big clubs.
The Dutch defender is believed to be on the radar of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool for much of the summer, which led to a player handing in a transfer request.
It was believed that personal terms had been agreed with the Reds at one point, only for the Saints to force an apology from the Anfield club for their unethical pursuit.
The 26 year-old has since been forced to train alone at the south-coast club, and has arrived today to do so again.
Dougall said: “Virgil Van Dijk has arrived for training this morning but he drove through a back gate, presumably to avoid the cameras who are here waiting to see if he’ll stay here or not.
“He’s been training every single day, we’ve been told, but on his own. That follows him handing in a transfer request earlier this month. Vice Chairman Les Reed has even said he would be alongside new players coming in to the club.
“Recently-appointed manager Mauricio Pellegrino has been saying he is not for sale but also not available to play. It’s been reiterated to me this morning that even a late bid comes in for Van Dijk it will be flatly turned down.”
This is an interesting stance to take on a player who you have exiled to train alone, and a player who clearly wants to leave, but you would have to expect a change in situation once the window closes. With the World Cup next summer you would expect Van Dijk to be willing to play for the club despite his treatment, although Southampton could just be haggling for a sizeable fee.
Watch this space… Would they really force him to train alone and then refuse to sell? Which other targets could strengthen our back-line?
Pat J
Very good chance we sign nobody today. And tbh, not one credible source has linked us with VVD this entire summer. How has this rumor persisted…
We won’t sign anyone, Wenger will counter this by describing the likes of Walcott, Ramsey, Holding, etc, as world class, and say it’s the strongest squad he’s ever had. Haha!
Wenger isn’t either a manager/coach anymore. He’s more of a politician, who’s desperate to stay in power, and will come up with any amount of lies, or rhetoric (as the politicians say), to convince fans to renew those season tickets. I have to say, I didn’t fall for it for one minute, but it’s very worrying how many Arsenal fans are still getting hoodwinked by this guy.
Hopefully the rest of the fan base will finally realise the truth come 11pm tonight. Although I don’t hold out any hope for poor old TY from Arsenal Fan TV. He has full blown Wengeritus, and sadly it’s progressive in his case.
in a world of football players is VVD the only defensive solution? there must be countless others… what about monaco’s Glik, Kongolo or their brazilan Jemerson. surely virgil is not the be all end all.