| Van Dijk to stay at Southampton | According to The Mirror, Southampton will be keeping hold of Virgil Van Dijk this summer. The report claims that … 31-08-2017 |
The Dutch centre-back has been involved in one this summer’s longest-running transfer sagas. Liverpool remain interested in the 26-year-old following months of speculation but they are running out of time to get a potential deal done. Benali, who played over 300 games for Southampton, reckons Van Dijk is staying at St Mary’s this summer. And he believes the centre-back should be setting his sights higher than the Reds as he is now a ‘world-class player’. Benali told the Daily Echo: "There’s a lot of talk about the money he could go for and seeing the sort of fees some players are fetching it could take a huge, maybe record bid to prise him away after another good season at Southampton.
“He’s an absolute top class, and I would go as far as to say world-class, player” "Saints could be looking at £80m-plus. It will be a decision for the club to take but I’m pleased with the stance they have taken and would like to see him remain a Saints player as long as possible. "He’s an absolute top class, and I would go as far as to say world-class, player. "There’s been a lot of talk about him going to some big clubs in this country but in my opinion he could easily go to a Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG, anywhere in the world, he’s that good. “He always seems to be playing within himself. He can score goals at the other end and is always comfortable in possession of the ball. Everything you’d be looking for in a player.”
Benali added: "My gut feeling is that Virgil will still be a Saints player when the window shuts. "I think it’ll take something extraordinary to change that. We’ll have to wait and see but I’ve been very pleased to see the club take the stance they have done with Virgil being just a year into a six-year deal. "I’ve met him on a couple of occasions and he seems a real decent guy. “There have obviously been some other influences that have been turning his head but why not try and pursue his ambition at Southampton?”
Dundee United have turned down an approach from Southampton for left-back Jamie Robson, Sky sources understand.
The 19-year-old has been a regular for the Scottish Championship side this season, but his contract is due to expire next summer.
It is understood United have no intention of selling the player during the current transfer window as they look to secure promotion back to the Scottish Premiership.
Robson has played 37 times for the Tayside club and has previously enjoyed a loan spell at Brechin City.
Virgil van Dijk will stay at Southampton - ending the speculation which has surrounded his club future, according to Sky sources.
Van Dijk has been strongly linked with a number of other clubs throughout the summer window - most notably Liverpool, who were forced to issue a public apology in June for an improper approach for the Netherlands international defender.
Chelsea and Manchester City have also been linked with the 26-year-old, who has trained away from his Southampton team-mates for a number of weeks after handing in a transfer request at St Mary’s at the start of the month.
However, the former Groningen and Celtic defender is set to remain with the club for the foreseeable future, after an approach from another Premier League side failed to materialise.
Van Dijk is yet to feature for the Saints this season after being removed from the starting line-up by new manager Mauricio Pellegrino and has been training on his own.
He could, however, make his return to the first team against Watford on September 9 - Southampton’s first game back after the ongoing international break.
Watch the new signings back in Premier League action from September 9 as Man City host Liverpool live on Sky Sports Premier League at 12.30pm.
| 3pm deadline day round-up: Chelsea have £23m bid accepted for Zappacosta; Zeegelaar arrives at Watford; no bids for …HEREISTHECITY |
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