Stan Collymore thinks Liverpool can still sign Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk if he were to hand in a transfer request.
The Merseyside club confirmed on their official website on Wednesday that they have ended their interest in the 25-year-old centre-back.
This comes after the Saints had reported their Premier League rivals for allegedly making an illegal approach for their player.
Former Nottingham Forest striker Collymore thinks if Van Dijk were to hand in a transfer request then he would risk losing any bonuses from the club which he believes Liverpool would make up.
When a supporter on Twitter asked Collymore whether his former club can still add Van Dijk to their ranks this summer, he issued this response.
“Yes [Liverpool could still sign Van Dijk],” said Collymore. “He would lose Southampton bonuses [but] Liverpool could offer to make that up. Why would he? Be stubborn, don’t train and get paid both ends.”
Can we still sign VVD if he hands in a transfer request?
— BV (@BigVirj) June 7, 2017
1. Yes
2. He'd lose #SFC bonuses
3. #LFC could offer to make that up
4. Why would he? Be stubborn, don't train, get paid both ends. https://t.co/6SlSbsDclO— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 7, 2017
Jurgen Klopp opted to use the likes of Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and Lucas at the heart of the club’s defence this season.
Despite their defensive worries, which saw them lose 4-3 away at Bournemouth, 2-1 at home to Championship side Wolves in the FA Cup and 3-2 at home to Swansea, they still managed to secure a top-four spot.
However, with Champions League football looming for Klopp’s side, it is no surprise to see that the German wants to add more quality to his defensive line.
During his career, Van Dijk has never played in the Champions League, but he has plied his trade in Holland and Scotland.