It is no secret. Klopp has let it be known that he is his number one transfer target. This dates back to before Summer. And, it's something that is reciprocated. Klopp wants Virgil Van Dijk. And equally, Van Dijk wants to join Liverpool. To date, both have been disappointed as the transfer never happened. However, that appears to be changing.
For the first time, Southampton has given signs that they are open to selling Van Dijk, and of course the obvious landing spot is Liverpool. Up until now, Southampton have repeatedly claimed he would not be sold and they would keep the talented defender. However, in advance of the Southampton vs Liverpool Premier League Match, Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has given renewed hope to Liverpool supporters in their pursuit of Van Dijk.
When asked about Van Dijk possibly leaving the club during the winter transfer, Pellegrino said "I don’t know (if Van Dijk will still be at the club in January). I can’t control the market." This is a stark contrast from every public comment on the subject prior. “You never know, because when we talk about money everybody has got a price. We have got a lot of good players and most of the teams want to sign them."
Liverpool have not lost interest in Van Dijk and the defender apparently is still interested in joining Klopp at Anfield. It appears the only thing that has changed is Southampton's willingness to sell the player. In the summer, talks of a £60m transfer fee were not enough to persuade Southampton to sell. Now, the fee may be as much as £70m.
Just how good is Virgil Van Dijk? Will, one measure of a players talent is the interest he garners in the transfer market. And not just if there is interest but who the interest is from. Liverpool were not the only Premier League club interested. Chelsea and Manchester City both expressed interest in the 25-year old during the summer. However, Van Dijk let it be known where he wanted to land. The centerback told the clubs interested, as well as Southampton, that he preferred a move to Liverpool.
That move never happened although both Liverpool and Van Dijk did everything they could to make it happen. Perhaps Liverpool did too much as tapping allegations apparently frustrated Southampton and may have been a factor in their keeping the player. Still, Van Dijk did all he could to orchestrate a move, even leaving the club to train on his own after submitting a transfer request.
The long-drawn transfer saga may finally conclude in a move to Liverpool this winter. And if it does it would be a huge boost for Jürgen Klopp. Van Dijk would be an instant starter on defense and would dramatically improve Liverpool's weakest element of their game. Not only that, but Van Dijk is not Champion's League tied. In other words, if Van Dijk moves to Anfield during the winter window he not only improves their Premier League squad he would also be eligible to join their Champion's League squad in time for the knockout phase.
This would be a huge gain for Klopp and Liverpool. And in advance of their game with Southampton they are finally getting indications that this deal may actually happen. Stay tuned.