No Change in Van Dijk Situation, Despite New Signing

They sure like their Dutch defenders in Southampton. Not only do they want to keep Liverpool target Virgil van Dijk in their collection, but they’ve added a second, Wesley Hoedt from Lazio for £15 million.

Many Liverpool supporters assumed (or more accurately, hoped) that signing Hoedt would clear the way for the departure of Van Dijk. This still might be the case, especially if Liverpool successfully qualify for Champions League tonight, but for now Southampton are remaining firm in their stance.

“Wesley has proven his talent through his performances for Lazio, as well as the Netherlands, and we believe he can develop even further here at Southampton, alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos” Southampton Director of Football Les Reed said in a recent interview.

If true, this would seem to contradict previous reports that Southampton would need to sell players before bringing more in. Although who really knows what is true in the transfer market?

With the window continuing to get smaller and smaller, and Liverpool remaining committed to a van Dijk or bust approach, it looks like the Reds will need to drastically step up efforts in order to get this one over the line.