Liverpool’s bid to sign Virgil van Dijk is not dead in the water, according to the Times and Telegraph.
The two newspapers have claimed in the last 24 hours that the Merseysiders have not given up on signing the Southampton centre-back despite their humiliating public climbdown earlier this month.
Liverpool were forced to withdraw interest in Van Dijk, 25, after they were accused by Southampton of tapping up the defender, although the Times state “that episode is unlikely to have run its course with the transfer window not even officially open”.
Moreover, the Telegraph add that there is a confidence in the Anfield corridors of power that manager Jurgen Klopp will land all his first-choice transfer targets, of which Van Dijk is undoubtedly one.
The newspaper note Liverpool’s statement of withdrawn interest in the Holland international and claim that is still the club’s position, but suggests there could still be some twists and turns to come given Van Dijk had his heart set on a move to Liverpool.
“It remains to be seen how the player himself interpreted events and whether the saga of his next move has run its course,” report the Telegraph.
Liverpool’s pursuit was criticised by many of their supporters after it was leaked by the club to the media that Van Dijk wanted to join the Merseysiders ahead of his other principal suitors Chelsea and Manchester City.
Southampton have hardened their stance following the Merseysiders’ apology for pursuing Van Dijk and pushed up the asking price for the centre-back to beyond £60million.
News that he could still join will send the fanbase into a frenzy given that the deal appeared dead and he is widely regarded as one of the outstanding players in his position in the Premier League.
Liverpool have been active in this summer’s market and are set to announce Mohamed Salah as their second summer signing following the earlier capture of Dominic Solanke from Chelsea.
Salah will reportedly undergo medical tests with the Merseysiders and complete a move that will be worth a club-record £39million including add-ons.