Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'agree record fee with Southampton for Virgil van Dijk'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 27 December 2017

Liverpool 'agree record fee for Van Dijk'

A report claims that Liverpool have beaten Manchester City and Chelsea to the signing of Virgil van Dijk, who will join from Southampton in a £75m deal next month.

Liverpool have agreed a world-record fee with Southampton for the January signing of centre-back Virgil van Dijk, according to a report.

The Reds are said to have been quoted a figure of £75m for the Netherlands international, £22m more than Manchester City paid to land Kyle Walker earlier this year, which they have agreed to pay in full.

Van Dijk's future on the south coast has been in doubt since he handed in a transfer request during the summer, having seen a move to Anfield break down due to an alleged illegal approach by the Merseyside outfit.

Southampton were furious with Liverpool's conduct at the time, demanding a public apology from their Premier League rivals, but tensions have thawed and a move is expected to be completed as early as next week.

The Telegraph suggests that that barring an even bigger bid from Man City or Chelsea in the coming days, the 26-year-old will get his wish of joining Jurgen Klopp's men.

Van Dijk has yet to agree personal terms with Liverpool, but the same report claims that the Dutch defender - left out of the Saints' squad again this week - will likely be given wages of around £180,000 a week.