Southampton are confident of completing an £11.5 million deal today for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk and also keeping both Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane.
Wanyama missed Sunday’s 3-0 win against Norwich City after telling manager Ronald Koeman that he wants to leave amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino signed Wanyama for Southampton previously but relations between the clubs have been soured over the past 18 months and Koeman is adamant that his player will not leave under any circumstances.
Southampton have said the same about Mane, who was a target of Manchester United, and intend to stick to their plan of only selling Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin this summer.
Koeman also wants another centre-back after Toby Alderweireld joined Tottenham at the end of his season-long loan with Southampton and the signing of Van Dijk should be confirmed today.
Van Dijk, 24, has won two Scottish Premier League titles since arriving in Scotland from Dutch club Groningen in 2013.
Virgil van Dijk on joining #SaintsFC: “For me now, to get the opportunity to play in the @premierleague, is unbelievable. It is the perfect step for me. It’s an amazing club.” ( Staplewood Campus )
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…mercurially dreamed up by Optimus trousers…beta v1.6
Apparently the deal was done a while back or agreed in principle (Glasgow Herald), can’t think of a player who I wanted to come in as much as this lad, absolute quality.
I don’t know a great deal about him, if I’m honest.
How would you rate him, Bazza? On a scale of 1 to Wolfswinkle pls.
Apparently the deal was done a while back or agreed in principle (Glasgow Herald), can’t think of a player who I wanted to come in as much as this lad, absolute quality.
Still think Vic is going to Spurs before 6pm bazza?
OK, I’ve been battling the Thunderbirds reference that keeps coming into mind each time I hear the name Virgil, and I really thought I’d bested that vision.
However, then I watch this Vine, and as our Virgil disappears into the MRI scanner I’m sure he’s about to drop into the seat of Thunderbird 2.
OK, I’ve been battling the Thunderbirds reference that keeps coming into mind each time I hear the name Virgil, and I really thought I’d bested that vision.
However, then I watch this Vine, and as our Virgil disappears into the MRI scanner I’m sure he’s about to drop into the seat of Thunderbird 2.
Ok, to stop this thread turning into Holiday 2015 with Cliff Michelmore, I thought I’d chat about VvD instead.
Pat Nevin described him as the signing of the transfer deadline day, and said he felt he was similar to David Luiz. ie a ball playing CB who wants to make forward runs and also a bit of a free kick specialist.
Sounds interesting. Anyway, anybody want to share any holiday snaps here?