Liverpool Reportedly Target Late Van Dijk Deal

It all seems to be happening, and after last week’s dominant displays of what this team can do under Jürgen Klopp, signings are being made to reflect the faith in a project that is entering an exciting stage as we close in on two years of Klopp at Liverpool. According to Dominic King, Virgil van Dijk is a priority alongside Thomas Lemar ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Naby Keïta will join Liverpool in 2018 for his release clause of £48 million and a £7 million premium (according to King) for agreeing the deal a year or so in advance. The shock agreement with RB Leipzig has been accompanied by the serious intent to sign Thomas Lemar from AS Monaco for a club record fee—one that would outstrip the club’s current transfer records and the fee to bring Keïta to Anfield next summer.

If Van Dijk does sign, he will probably cost more than the £70 million reported by King. It might be more realistic to expect a figure over £80 million, let’s say £82 million or thereabouts, for the dashing 26-year-old. This isn’t a number creatively plucked out of thin air, but it would be unwise to go further than that in this climate of purportedly precious information.

Keïta and Van Dijk were the sumptuous signings Liverpool wanted to make as a real statement of intent, but with or without Philippe Coutinho, Lemar joining would ensure that this is the best transfer window in the Premier League era for Merseyside’s finest.