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Virgil van Dijk wants transfer to Liverpool from Southampton this summer

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Virgil van Dijk wants transfer to Liverpool from Southampton this summer

Virgil van Dijk has told Liverpool they are his preferred destination this summer, ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City.

The Southampton captain has established himself as one of the finest central defenders in the Premier League since moving from Celtic for £11.5m in September 2015.

Liverpool are refusing to comment on the speculation, but it is understood they are prepared to break their transfer record to land him.

Personal terms have not been finalised with Van Dijk, but Liverpool are prepared to match the contract offer from Manchester City which could be as much as £200,000 a week.

Pep Guardiola has identified him as a priority target as he looks to strengthen his defensive options this summer, though City are concerned about the price they may be forced to pay to land him. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is also an admirer.

Southampton are determined to hold on to the Dutch international, with club chairman Ralph Krueger stating last month the Saints would be prepared to reject bids of up to £60m in order to keep the 25-year-old.

However, Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring him to Anfield and Liverpool are prepared to spend big in order to do so.

And sources indicate Van Dijk has been impressed with Klopp’s personal involvement in Liverpool’s effort to sign him.

If Van Dijk were to join Liverpool, he would be the latest in a series of Southampton players to move to Anfield in recent years, following in the footsteps of Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana, Sadio Mane and Rickie Lambert.

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Villarreal join Everton, Newcastle and Southampton in race for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon defender Ruben Semedo

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Villarreal have joined Everton, Newcastle and Southampton in the race for Sporting Lisbon defender Ruben Semedo.

The 23-year-old is expected to be sold for around £15m this summer after earning rave reviews in Portugal.

Newcastle are particularly keen on the centre-back, but he is also a target for fellow Premier League clubs Everton and Southampton.

However, according to Spanish newspaper AS, Villarreal have waded into the transfer battle to try and make a deal happen.

The La Liga club have been watching Semedo since January and they are now ready to make their move.

Villarreal are in desperate need of a new centre-back after Mateo Musacchio agreed to join AC Milan and Semedo has been identified as their preferred replacement.

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Lovren doesn’t react well when asked about Liverpool’s potential new signing

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Liverpool appear to be closing in on a move for in-demand Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, but Reds’ centre-back Dejan Lovren appears unmoved by the prospect of his potential new team-mate.

Jurgen Klopp looks to have pipped Chelsea and Manchester City for Van Dijk in what would likely be a club record move for the £50million rated Dutch international, report the Liverpool Echo .

Lovren was fielding questions during the club’s recent trip to Sydney when he was asked about the potential arrival of Van Dijk and the Croatian was not impressed with what he was asked.

Unprepared to answer questions about the Van Dijk transfer saga, Lovren walked away from a reporter.

“I don’t want to talk about that!” said Lovren before ending the conversation abruptly.

It’s unclear for certain when the question was put to Lovren, but the defender is currently on holiday enjoying a post-season break, and it is likely the footage was filmed after the match against Sydney FC last month.

Van Dijk hasn’t played for Southampton since January after picking up a season-ending ankle injury, but the 25-year-old former Celtic star is back in training and is expected to be fit to undergo a full pre-season schedule.

Watch the full interview with Anfield Index TV below

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Sourced from A tweet by MirrorFootball tweet

@MirrorFootball - Mirror Football

Southampton trying to hijack Newcastle’s move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back #Saintsfc #NUFC… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/871844988111523846

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/06/2017 21:57:32

| | The 3 reasons Virgil van Dijk wants to join Liverpool over Man City & Chelsea [Times] GIVEMESPORT |
| | Virgil Van Dijk describes Liverpool as a 'beautiful club’ANFIELDHQ |
| | Report: Villarreal to rival Newcastle United and Southampton for Ruben Semedo’s signatureHEREISTHECITY |
| | Ranked! The 20 best Premier League shirts EVERFOURFOURTWO |
| | Virgil Van Dijk agrees to move to LiverpoolROUSINGTHEKOP |
| | Southampton push Newcastle aside in defender race, have now agreed to club’s transfer termsSPORTWITNESS |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Liverpool ready to offer out of favour defender in Van Dijk switch | Liverpool could be prepared to offer Mamadou Sakho as a makeweight in a deal to sign Virgil van Dijk from … 05-06-2017 |
| Southampton negotiating Puel exit | Claude Puel is looking to arrange a compensation fee with Southampton ahead of the termination of his current … 05-06-2017 |

Older content…

| What next for Saints and Virgil van Dijk?21 hours ago |
| Southampton’s 2016/17 end of season ratings21 hours ago |
| Saints, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United tracking promising winger21 hours ago |
| Claude Puel reportedly declines job offer21 hours ago |
| Southampton set to beat Newcastle to coveted defender?21 hours ago |
| Liverpool ready to match Manchester City’s mega offer for defender21 hours ago |
| Spanish side join race for Ruben Semedo, Newcastle and Southampton keen21 hours ago |
| Southampton’s weekly transfer news round-up2 days ago |

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

| Saints In Discussion With Claude Puel About Compensation Package. | French Journalist Manu Lonjon has tweeted some very interesting news for Saints supporters about Claude Puel. 05-06-2017 |

Older content…

| Ladbrokes Suspend Betting On Virgil Van Dijk To Liverpool21 hours ago |
| Liverpool Set To Increase Their £100 Million Investment In Saints21 hours ago |
| Saints Appear To Be Caught In Flux2 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside TV ! End Of Season Review Sofiane Boufal3 days ago |
| Should they stay or should they go?4 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside TV ! End Of Season Review Nathan Redmond4 days ago |
| Saints Will Only Succumb To An Eye Watering Offer For Van Dijk4 days ago |
| Is the potential takeover going to hinder Saints in the summer transfer market?4 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside TV ! End Of Season Review James Ward Prowse4 days ago |
| The Ugly Inside TV ! End Of Season Review Jordy Clasie5 days ago |

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Sourced from talkSPORT article

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk wants to join Liverpool instead of Chelsea or Manchester City

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Liverpool appear to have edged ahead in the race for in-demand Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk as the player has indicated he prefers a move to Anfield.

It is understood the centre-back has made his feelings on his future clear and has chosen Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool ahead of interest from Premier League champions Chelsea and Manchester City.

However, a deal is a long way from being completed as the Reds have yet to make a bid for the player, with Saints expected to demand a world-record fee for a defender in excess of £50million. That would smash Liverpool’s existing record transfer, the £35million they paid for Andy Carroll.

Liverpool have refused to comment on the speculation surrounding the player and their interest in him.

But it is understood Van Dijk is Klopp’s primary transfer target this summer and would be willing to offer a lucrative financial package, potentially making him the highest-paid player at the club, to secure the defender.

The chance to work with Klopp is believed to have been a significant factor in Van Dijk’s decision, despite similar opportunities being available with Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte.

Van Dijk missed the second half of last season with an ankle ligament injury but has impressed since his move to England from Celtic in September 2015 for £11.5million.

Klopp is understood to want the Holland international to bring some authority and presence to his back four having struggled in that area this season.

Liverpool are working hard to secure the manager’s top targets with talks currently at a standstill with Roma over winger Mohamed Salah.

The Egypt international, for whom the Reds lost out to Chelsea when they tried to sign him in January 2014, is wanted to add more pace to Klopp’s attack.

A fee, likely to be about £35million, has yet to be agreed and Liverpool are considering Lazio’s Keita Balde as an alternative should the deal fail to materialise.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/06/2017 22:57:47

| | Podcast: Van Dijk decision and what it means for Klopp & FSGGOLIVERPOOL |
| | Should Manchester United Look At This Southampton Man As A Potential Replacement For De Gea?THE4THOFFICIAL |
| | Van Dijk makes final choice as £50m switch inches closerTEAMTALK |
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| Liverpool FC appear to have won race to sign Virgil van DijkICNORTHWALES |
| | Van Dijk decision underlines why Klopp is Reds best signingGOLIVERPOOL |
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| Midday Ticker: Cheick Tiote passes away, van Dijk calls for Liverpool move, and moreSOCCERBYIVES |
| | Report: Liverpool set to win the race to sign Virgil van DijkHEREISTHECITY |
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| Virgil van Dijk wants to seal move to AnfieldRTE |
| | Defender Virgil van Dijk keen on Liverpool moveBTSPORT |
| | Celtic to pocket windfall as Virgil van Dijk looks set for LiverpoolDAILYRECORD |
| | What next for Saints and Virgil van Dijk?READSOUTHAMPTON |
| | WATCH: Lovren’s incredible reaction when asked about Van Dijk joining LiverpoolGIVEMESPORT |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/06/2017 23:58:26

| | Transfer Scouting: Virgil van DijkSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |
| | FSG Back Klopp in Van Dijk Deal, Dutchman Chooses Anfield Over RivalsPAISLEYGATES |
| | Liverpool Will Have To Fork Out Up To £60m For Virgil van DijkINSIDEFUTBOLCOM |
| | Seven Van Dijk alternatives if Chelsea miss out on defenderFOOTBALLLONDON |
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| Southampton face stiff competition for experienced defenderSHOOTCOUK |
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| Transfer Rumors: Virgil van Dijk wants Liverpool moveFANSIDED |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 06/06/2017 00:58:39

| | Puel reportedly arranging compensation with SaintsREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Virgil van Dijk 'favours Liverpool move’SPORTSMOLE |
| | Virgil van Dijk ‘wants to join Liverpool ahead of Man City and Chelsea’SQUAWKA |
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| Liverpool Receive Boost In Key Summer Transfer, Number 1 Target Says He Wants To Play At Anfield – The Kop Times | …THEKOPTIMES |
| | What impact could Virgil Van Dijk’s imminent arrival have at Liverpool?THEBOOTROOM |
| | As Van Dijk heads to Anfield, Manchester City must carefully choose their new centre-back – City WatchCITYWATCH |
| | Revealed: The reasons Virgil Van Dijk has chosen LiverpoolANFIELDHQ |
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| Just £8m for a striker with 12 goals and 3 assists: Why Southampton should definitely sign this FrenchmanMADABOUTEPL |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 06/06/2017 03:59:19

| | Liverpool could use Sakho in Van Dijk dealREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Saints In Discussion With Claude Puel About Compensation Package. - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

No £60m bid for van Dijk

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Saints have yet to receive an offer for Virgil van Dijk, and would not welcome one as they hope to keep hold of their star defender.

Several reports have suggested that Manchester City have already agreed a £60m deal with Saints to sign the Dutch centre half.

Others have said that Liverpool remain confident of landing him with van Dijk keen on a move to Anfield, while Chelsea are also rumoured to be set to blow everyone else out of the water with a mega deal.

However, it is all quiet at St Mary’s, with no offers for van Dijk having come in and, for now at least, no imminent sense that another club is going to try and prise him away.

As revealed in the Daily Echo last week, Saints are adamant that they are in the driving seat with regards to van Dijk’s future.

The 25-year-old still has five years left on his current contract, having signed a new deal last summer that made him the club’s highest ever paid player.

They also invested in van Dijk’s rehab which has got him back to fitness after missing much of the second half of last season through injury.

Saints are expecting to be shown some loyalty by the player, and there is no hint at this stage that that won’t be the case.

Van Dijk has been a very stable character at Saints and a strong presence in the changing room.

As far as Saints are concerned there is no need to sell van Dijk at this point in time.

They don’t need the money to finance new signings, and the view at the club is that the defender will be worth at least as much next summer as he is this given the length of his contract, his age and ability.

Therefore, the only case to sell would be if a club were prepared to pay a significant premium on top of his current market value to compensate for that.

Certainly that would be far in excess of the £50m touted and, in reality, would be expected to be a lot more than the £60m City had been reported to have agreed.

There would also be absolutely no incentive for Saints to make a decision to sell hastily anyway.

With three clubs with significant finances supposedly interested, the best chance of a high fee is for a bidding war to ensue, or for a club to really push the boat out if they get desperate.

It all leaves Saints in a relaxed situation hopeful that van Dijk will still be at the club next season, and knowing that if he isn’t it will only be because they were made an eye watering offer too good for any club to refuse.

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Southampton out to hijack Newcastle’s move for Sporting Lisbon defender

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Southampton are trying to hijack Newcastle’s move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ruben Semedo.

Saints officials plan to hold talks with the Portuguese giants this week, and are prepared to meet their £12.5million asking price.

Magpies boss Rafael Benitez is also keen to bring Portugal Under-21 international Semedo to the Premier League, following the Geordies’ Championship title win.

Saints hope the presence of fellow countryman and ex-Lisbon teammate Cedric Soares can help convince the 23-year-old to snub the north east for the south coast.

They have been short of defensive cover since selling captain Jose Fonte to West Ham in January.

Semedo could also be a replacement for Liverpool and Manchester City target Virgil van Dijk , whose future at St Mary’s remains in doubt.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether to part company with manager Claude Puel is expected this week.

The under-fire Frenchman is now favourite to move home and take charge of Ligue 1 side St Etienne.

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Sourced from BBC article

Danny Mills: “£50-60m for Virgil van Dijk is ridiculous”, 5 live’s Football Daily - Radio 5 live

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Mark Chapman is back with the Monday Night Club, alongside Danny Mills, Kris Boyd and journalist Andy Brassell. Following the Champions League final last weekend, we ask why the Premier League is so far behind the rest of Europe. We also discuss the latest transfer news, including the huge transfer fee being discussed for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, and reflect on the sad news that former Newcastle United and Ivory Coast midfielder of Cheick Tiote has died at the age of 30.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 06/06/2017 04:59:35

| | Southampton Expecting Loyalty From Chelsea and Liverpool Target Virgil van DijkINSIDEFUTBOLCOM |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 06/06/2017 05:59:48

| | Not £60m – ITK who broke the Virgil van Dijk news reveals the fee Liverpool will pay for the Southampton manTHICKACCENT |

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Watch Liverpool transfer target Virgil van Dijk showcase silky skills

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The 25-year-old Dutchman has seen Premier League champions Chelsea sniffing around in recent weeks, as well as Liverpool and Man City.

But after talks with all three clubs he has decided to move to Liverpool, according to the Mirror.

And video of van Dijk’s incredible versatility shows what attracted Reds boss Jurgen Klopp to him.

Footage shows the defender control the ball in his own half before surging forward towards opposition players.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 06/06/2017 07:00:02

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| Sakho Could Be Offered in Van Dijk DealSBNATIONTHELIVERPOOLOFFSIDE |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

A reminder that the #SaintsFC Ticket Office will be closed today due to the @robbiewilliams concert at St Mary’s: http://sfcne.ws/TOShutRW

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