It has been one of the most intriguing transfer stories of the summer, and Virgil van Dijk has finally had his say. The Dutch defender wants out of Southampton.
In a statement released on Monday evening, van Dijk confirmed he had handed in a transfer request to the club "with regret".
After joining the club in 2015 from Celtic, he signed a new six-year deal last summer. The 26-year-old has been one of the most impressive defenders in the Premier League since joining Southampton.
With less than a week to go to the start of the Premier League season, van Dijk's statement comes at a bad time for Southampton, but may open a glimmer of hope of the defender joining Liverpool.
In June, the club released a statement apologising to Southampton for their pursuit of the defender. Liverpool revealed they ended their interest in van Dijk.
With Monday evening's statement, the chances of van Dijk heading to Anfield may have been resurrected.
Virgil van Dijk 1/3 pic.twitter.com/mlzoIckyju
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 7, 2017
Virgil van Dijk 2/3 pic.twitter.com/XnddH1rJkU
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 7, 2017
Virgil van Dijk 3/3 pic.twitter.com/naPkJvTFLV
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 7, 2017
Whatever happen to van Dijk in his immediate future, it's clear it does not lie at St. Mary's. He has two-and-a-half weeks to find a new club.
