Liverpool fans were eagerly awaiting confirmation of a massive summer signing in Southampton's Virgil van Dijk, after it emerged that Anfield was his preferred destination, despite interest from Chelsea and Man City.
Instead, those hopes were dashed after the club issued a public apology to Southampton for an illegal approach to one of their players, and the transfer was dead in the water.
Now, Yahoo Sport have quotes from a source 'close to the club' that suggest Liverpool went as far as to send the player videos of how he would be used in their system to convince him to join, without the consent of his current club.
The source told Yahoo that there is "no way" the Dutchman will be sold to Liverpool now:
The club had to take a stand this week as we have been aware of what has been going on for months and it has gone too far.
Southampton have told the player that we don’t want to sell him this summer, but he thought he could kick up a big enough fuss that he would be sold for £50m.
That is never happening and by holding talks with the player, sending him video clips of how he will fit into their team and doing this all without the permission of Southampton, there is no way he will be sold to Liverpool at this stage.
Many Liverpool fans had hoped there would be a possibility for proper talks to be held and a deal to be agreed eventually, even at a later stage if Van Dijk stays at Southampton through this transfer window, but it if this source is accurate that will no be happening.
It has become apparent that Chelsea may also have made illegal contact with the player, which you would think would give Man City the upper hand if they are indeed in for Van Dijk, but we'll wait and see what else develops in the coming weeks.
