OptiNews - Friday 29 December 2017 to Thursday 04 January 2018

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Sean Dyche says Virgil van Dijk deal shows life getting harder for Burnley

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Sean Dyche says Virgil van Dijk’s record-breaking move to Liverpool shows life is only getting harder for Burnley in the Premier League.

Liverpool agreed a deal with Southampton on Wednesday to sign Van Dijk for £75m - a world-record fee for a defender.

Burnley’s record transfer fee is around five times smaller than the fee for van Dijk, and Dyche believes that difference shows how tough it is for clubs like Burnley to compete in the Premier League.

He said: "Nothing is impossible in football but sometimes probability outweighs possibility. The way it is going it is harder and harder.

"With Liverpool you have someone spending £75m on a centre-back and there are not many clubs who can compete with that.

“That £75m is probably pushing our transfer budget forever. That’s one player against the history of another club - in the same division. So that’s going to be hard to narrow the gaps on”.

Despite the financial disparity that exists between Burnley and many of the other clubs in the league, Dyche’s side sit seventh in the table - and just five points behind Liverpool.

Burnley will hope to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side when they host them on New Year’s Day, and Dyche believes the nature of the Premier League makes that kind of upset possible.

He said: "If you are buying in the highest end of the market constantly, in any walk of life, there is a fair chance it is going to operate in a higher fashion.

“But the marvel of the Premier League is you can still have one result. Huddersfield beat Manchester United, so there are random results which occur.”

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

City line up two fresh targets after missing out on Van Dijk - Friday’s gossip

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Manchester City may be 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League but Pep Guardiola is keen to strengthen the Blues yet further.

And the first area to target is centre-back with Plan B to be pursued after missing out to Liverpool in the race for Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds swooped in to sign the Southampton star for £75m, while Vincent Kompany’s latest injury has left Guardiola frantically searching for alternatives.

City would not match Saints’ price tag for Van Dijk, insistsing £60m was their absolute limit, which leaves them considering a move for West Brom’s Jonny Evans, report the Telegraph.

Arsenal and Everton are also keen, meaning the Baggies should fetch £30m for the 29-year-old, which could push City to consider Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez as another option.

Southampton eye Theo Walcott return as part of January rebuild following Virgil van Dijk exit

The Saints are also eyeing Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, Celtic’s Moussa Dembele and Swansea defender Alfie Mawson

Everton are on the brink of signing £25m Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun as Sam Allardyce lands Romelu Lukaku replacement

Chelsea are hopeful of fending off Real Madrid interest to seal new five-year deal for Thibaut Courtois

West Ham plot Joe Allen transfer as David Moyes looks to reshape struggling squad in January window

RB Leipzig make £17m move for Reece Oxford - but West Ham want to recall teenager from Bundesliga loan

Stoke, West Brom, West Ham and Newcastle will submit loan offers for Liverpool’s Danny Ings (Sky Sports)

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Dyche: Van Dijk’s £75m move proves how tough life is for Burnley

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Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes Liverpool’s world-record capture of Virgil van Dijk explains why it will be increasingly hard to upset the Premier League’s established order.

Dyche has overseen a season of drastic over-performance at Turf Moor thus far, heading into Saturday’s game at Huddersfield in seventh place while presiding over a budget which sits more comfortably in the bottom three.

The campaign started with victory at Chelsea and there have been draws away at Liverpool, Tottenham and, on Boxing Day, Manchester United.

Earlier this month they even spent a night in the Champions League places following victory over Stoke.

But with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp kicking off the January market with a £75million deal for Van Dijk, the most ever paid for a defender, Dyche expects it to be a major challenge to keep up.

‘Nothing is impossible in football but sometimes probability outweighs possibility,’ he said.

'The way it is going it is harder and harder. We saw with Leicester it is not impossible, but it is improbable.

'If you have a team like Manchester City spending £100m on three full-backs that is an interesting thing. With Liverpool you have someone spending £75m on a centre-back and there are not many clubs who can compete with that.

'That £75m is probably pushing our transfer budget forever, or very close.

‘That’s one player against the history of another club - in the same division. So that’s going to be hard to narrow the gaps on.’

Yet Dyche’s own results this term - coupled with one notable scalp for their next opponents - are an important reminder that while the longer war may be a fruitless one, individual battles are there for the taking.

‘If you are buying in the highest end of the market constantly, in any walk of life, there is a fair chance it is going to operate in a higher fashion,’ he said.

‘But the marvel of the Premier League is you can still have one result. Huddersfield beat Manchester United, so there are random results which occur.’

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/12/2017 04:29:20

| | Gini Wijnaldum hails Virgil van Dijk as a natural leaderREADLIVERPOOL |
| | Paper Round: Saints want Walcott and Sturridge, Man City target Van Dijk alternativesEUROSPORTUK |
| | Want-away Arsenal ace being eyed up for January transfer by Premier League sideCAUGHTOFFSIDE |
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| Gary Neville: What I really think about Liverpool FC signing Virgil van DijkSPORTREVIEWCOM |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/12/2017 05:29:28

| | Liverpool land Van Dijk in world record dealTHENEWSCOMPK |
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| Van Dijk arrival boosts LiverpoolNEWSTRAITSTIMES |
| | (Image) Even Tennis legends approve of Liverpool’s acquisition of Virgil van DijkTHICKACCENT |
| | Luis Garcia reacts on Twitter to Virgil van Dijk newsHEREISTHECITY |
| | Look at Virgil van Dijk - Celtic should not accept anything less than £30m for Moussa DembeleGLASGOWEVENINGTIMES |

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Sourced from ESPN FC article

Man United see Dybala bid rejected; Southampton circle for Sturridge

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With the calendar soon turning over to the new year, the gossip ahead of the January transfer window is heating up. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest rumours.

Speculation continues to mount that Manchester United are chasing Juventus star Paulo Dybala, with The Sun reporting that the Old Trafford club have had an offer rejected this week.

United’s bid was thought to be valued at £70 million and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has failed to command a regular starting spot under Jose Mourinho since his move from Borussia Dortmund 18 months ago.

Although Juventus dismissed the offer, the report claims the Italian champions would be willing to do business at around £86m.

Dybala, 24, began the season with 10 goals in his first 10 matches, but was recently demoted to the bench for Juve’s crucial encounter with Inter Milan. That sparked rumours of a fall-out with manager Max Allegri, followed by the suggestion that the Argentine could be sold if the price is right.

Southampton are planning to reinvest a significant chunk of the £75m they received from Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk, with Daniel Sturridge fronting their list of targets.

Sturridge has struggled to command a regular place at Liverpool this season and could move to the Saints on loan for the rest of the campaign, according to the Telegraph.

The club have also been linked with bids for out-of-favour Arsenal winger Theo Walcott and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, who both started their careers on the south coast.

A move for Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon has also been discussed, but TalkSport claims Real Madrid and Manchester United lead the queue for the 17-year-old.

Arsenal will look to boost their top-four hopes with a January bid for Riyad Mahrez, reports The Sun.

The Gunners are long-term admirers of the Leicester winger, who almost joined Roma last summer.

The report quotes Algerian outlet Le Buteur as saying that Arsene Wenger is finally ready to land his man, with fears that Alexis Sanchez could depart the Emirates Stadium for Manchester City next month.

Leicester could demand as much as £45m for their star player, however, which is likely to test Arsenal’s resolve.

According to the Daily Mirror, Swansea defender Alfie Mawson and Celtic striker Moussa Dembele are two more names on Southampton’s shortlist as they look to spend the Virgil van Dijk windfall. The Saints are desperate to strengthen after winning just one of their last 11 matches.

Liverpool’s Danny Ings could be on the move in January as a number of Premier League sides fight to sign the striker on loan, reports the Independent. West Brom, Newcastle and West Ham have all expressed an interest in Ings, who has endured an injury-hit spell at Liverpool since joining the club from Burnley.

David Moyes is weighing up a bid for Stoke midfielder Joe Allen as he looks to bolster his West Ham squad in January, claims the Daily Mirror. Stoke are likely to put up a fight for the Wales international, who scored in the recent victory over West Brom.

Manchester City will turn their attention to West Brom’s Jonny Evans and Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez after missing out on Virgil van Dijk, according to the Telegraph. Pep Guardiola is still keen to add another centre-back to his squad, but City weren’t convinced by Southampton’s £75m valuation of Van Dijk.

The Guardian reports that West Ham will move for Borussia Dortmund winger Andre Schurrle on loan after rejecting Bundesliga interest in Reece Oxford this week. Oxford was a target for RB Leipzig but has now been recalled from his loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach, while former Chelsea forward Schurrle is looking for first-team football to secure his World Cup place with Germany.

Matthew Stanger covers European football for ESPN and is the editor of The Set Pieces. Twitter: @MatthewStanger

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/12/2017 06:29:40

| | Liverpool could see 64-goal star depart next month as Premier League side eye up moveCAUGHTOFFSIDE |
| | City revive their interest in EvansIRISHINDEP |
| | Saints seek SturridgeIRISHINDEP |
| | Bhoys’ Van Dijk windfall may be bolstered by Dembele moveIRISHINDEP |

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Sourced from Reuters.co.uk article

Saints keen to invest Van Dijk windfall on three players

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(Reuters) - Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino is hopeful the club can land at least three of their transfer targets to make up for the loss of centre back Virgil van Dijk, who swapped life on the south coast for Liverpool for a world record transfer fee.

Van Dijk will arrive at Anfield on January 1 after the clubs agreed a reported 75 million pound fee that would make him the world’s most expensive defender and Pellegrino said the deal should benefit the Saints.

“You have to analyse in a positive way to reinvest this money in our squad to try to be stronger. At Southampton, it is impossible to bring in players for 80 million pounds or 50 million pounds,” the Argentine told reporters.

”But maybe for us it can mean a couple of good players. Maybe we can change one player for two or three players with this money.

“We are talking about the couple of targets that we’ve got. I would like to bring in a couple of players minimum and we have to work for this.”

Before the transfer window opens on Monday, 14th-placed Southampton face a tough trip to second-placed Manchester United as they look to end a poor run of seven Premier League games without a victory.

Regular fullbacks Cedric Soares (back) and Ryan Bertrand (hamstring) are still recovering from injuries and will not be available for the trip to Old Trafford.

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool was a done deal four weeks ago - Micky Quinn

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Virgil van Dijk will become a Liverpool player officially on Monday January 1

That is according to former Newcastle striker, Liverpool supporter and pundit Micky Quinn.

Southampton and the Reds confirmed yesterday that a deal had been agreed worth £75m.

Van Dijk will officially join on January 1 when the transfer window reopens.

The switch went through quickly on Wednesday as Liverpool’s intensified pursuit was kept under wraps until the last minute.

But the writing had been on the wall for the Dutchman at St Mary’s for some time.

Mauricio Pellegrino had resorted to leaving the 26-year-old out of his matchday squads during December.

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

We’ve been speaking with Mauricio Pellegrino ahead of #SaintsFC’s visit to #MUFC tomorrow:

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/12/2017 09:30:20

| | Ex-Celtic scout who discovered Virgil van Dijk insists he’s one of world’s bestDAILYRECORD |
| | Photo gallery: Manchester United squad working hard ahead of Southampton clashTHEPEOPLESPERSON |
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| Gossip: Spurs face Premier League competition for starletBRISTOLPOST |
| | Alan Shearer: Why Liverpool FC were wrong to pay £75m for Virgil van DijkSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | How Van Dijk matches up to Liverpool’s current centre-backsGOLIVERPOOL |
| | Jurgen Klopp: Why Liverpool FC signed Virgil van DijkSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Food for thought – Liverpool’s £75m Virgil Van Dijk could have been a perfect signing for Manchester City – SoccerSoulsSOCCERSOULS |
| | Jamie Carragher opens up about new Liverpool FC signingSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Man United boss Jose Mourinho handed boost ahead of weekend clash as key ace returns to training following injuryCAUGHTOFFSIDE |
| | Dietmar Hamann names two Liverpool FC signing needed after Virgil van Dijk dealSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Gary Neville admits he’s shocked by latest Liverpool FC signingSPORTREVIEWCOM |

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool Virgil van Dijk deal scares Barcelona as Manchester clubs circle Samuel Umtiti

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Samuel Umtiti could be heading to the Premier League soon

Southampton and the Reds have agreed on £75m for Van Dijk, smashing the record fee for a defender which was set by Manchester City in the summer.

Pep Guardiola’s side bought Kyle Walker for £54m but Liverpool have surpassed that following a longstanding interest in the Dutchman.

City were interested in Van Dijk and reports had suggested that they were willing to pay £70m before Jurgen Klopp blew them out of the water.

But the ripple effect of the transfer has hit Barcelona, who are seriously worried about losing French defender Umtiti, according to Don Balon.

Following his £21m move from Lyon in 2016, Umtiti has become a regular for the La Liga giants, making 62 appearances.

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Jurgen Klopp should bring in this player to be Virgil van Dijk’s defensive partner - Keown

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Jurgen Klopp should make Joe Gomez his starting centre-back with van Dijk, says Keown

That’s the verdict of former Premier League centre-back Martin Keown.

Van Dijk is moving to Liverpool on January 1 from Southampton in a mega £75m deal.

He’s the most expensive defender in the world and will be expected to hit the ground running on Merseyside.

And Keown thinks it’s time for Klopp to make wholesale changes in defence with Joe Gomez being put alongside the Dutchman in his backline.

“What Klopp should do now is use this as an opportunity to form a new partnership in the heart of Liverpool’s back line by moving Joe Gomez into the middle to play alongside his record signing,” he wrote in the Daily Mail.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/12/2017 10:30:33

| | A Stamford Bridge Too Far |Chelsea Fan Blog | Opinions & Transfer NewsA Stamford Bridge Too Far |Chelsea Fan Blog | …ASTAMFORDBRIDGETOOFAR |
|

| Gary Neville opens up about Liverpool FC’s first January signingSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Man United star should be rested v Saints so he’s fresh for Everton - agree?FOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Soccer: Saints keen to invest Van Dijk windfall on three playersREUTERS |
| | Ledley King reacts on Twitter to Liverpool’s £75m Van Dijk deal, warns playerHEREISTHECITY |
| | Hughton warns Albion will face inflated price for striker in transfer window after Virgil van Dijk big money moveTHISISBRIGHTON |

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

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Sky Sports transfer guru Kaveh Solhekol reveals Liverpool’s summer bid for Virgil van Dijk

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Kaveh Solhekol says Liverpool were only willing to pay £60m for Virgil van Dijk in the summer

Van Dijk was expected to join Liverpool in the summer but the Reds were forced to publicly end their interest after Southampton accused them of illegally tapping him up.

But Liverpool now have their man after they announced a £75m deal was agreed with Southampton to sign the Dutch defender on January 1.

The fee makes Van Dijk the most expensive defender in the world, but Solhekol claims the Reds were only willing to hand over £60m for him in the summer.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were willing to pay the extra £15m for the 26-year-old after another season full of problems in defence.

Solhekol told Sky Sports: “It’s one of these deals where everybody is happy.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/12/2017 11:30:49

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| Arsenal: Calum Chambers has head start as next Virgil van DijkFANSIDEDPAININTHEARSENAL |
| | Daniel Levy’s waiting game could backfire, £75m Southampton plan to hijack Tottenham target SessegnonHEREISTHECITY |
| | Celtic’s cut of record transfer fee could reach £10mVIDEOCELTS |
| | Man Utd’s transfer plans may change after Liverpool sign Virgil van DijkMANEVNEWS |
| | The Southampton Walking Wounded - Injury News 29/12/2017VITALFOOTBALL |
| | Two Players Who Could Follow Virgil van Dijk To Liverpool Including This PSG Star – SoccerSoulsSOCCERSOULS |
| | Jamie Carragher predicts where Liverpool FC will finish after first January signingSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Jamie Carragher sends clear warning to Liverpool FC signing Virgil van DijkSPORTREVIEWCOM |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Were you in that number at #MUFC for this Dušan Tadić winner in 2015? :innocent: #saintsfc

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Liverpool and Southampton could complete yet another deal in January: Striker in demand

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Southampton are keen on signing Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge on loan

Virgil van Dijk became the latest player to swap St Mary’s for Anfield following the news of his £75m switch.

The Dutchman will become the world’s most expensive defender when his move is officially confirmed on January 1.

The Reds have signed a host of Saints stars over recent years but the Telegraph claim a player could be set to go the other way.

It is said that Southampton are keen on completing a loan deal for Reds striker Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge has struggled for game-time under Jurgen Klopp this season with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane starring.

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