Dick Advocaat backs transfer stance of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk

Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat has claimed that Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk is right to try to force a move to a top Premier League club.

Since the end of last season, Van Dijk has been heavily linked with a move to either Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea, but the Saints insist that their skipper will not be leaving St Mary's.

Van Dijk has allegedly been training on his own ahead of the new campaign, but his national team manager has supported his stance over his future.

The Dutch coach told Voetbalzone: "You can condemn it, but come on, if you can earn five times as much at a top English club, then I understand you're going to take action."

Van Dijk - who is valued in the region of £60m - has not played for Southampton since January after sustaining an ankle injury.