Virgil van Dijk’s transfer saga with Liverpool was entertaining in the summer but Southampton’s strong resolve on the player left the Reds reeling. The Saints accused the reds of allegedly tapping up their player without their consent and even lodged a complaint with the FA.
Although the accusation didn’t last long as FA gave a clean chit to the Reds, the chaptered closed with Van Dijk staying back at the St Marys. But according to reports, Barcelona are readying a bid for the Dutch centre back.
The Catalans are considerably weak in this department and any injury to the current defensive pair of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique would be a matter of a headache for Ernesto Valverde. The newly appointed coach has given the La Liga giants a very good start to the season and any interruption to their preparation would hand an advantage to their rivals.
Javier Mascherano and Thomas Vermaelen are there for any kind of need but while Mascherano has passed his prime, Vermaelen’s injury issues has created a host of problems for him.
Van Dijk’s growing popularity over the years hasn’t gone unnoticed by the top clubs and it is going to be a very difficult January for the South Coast club. Gaffer Mauricio Pellegrino already brought in Wesley Hoedt to stabilize his defence so he might entertain offers if he gets the right price for him.
Years after years Southampton have been selling their top players, which has dented their ambitions big time. Letting go their valuable players hasn’t not been productive and the departure of Van Dijk could create problems for them.
A number of Premier League giants like Chelsea and Manchester City are also measuring their options. Pep Guardiola’s side has enthralled the audience so far but lack of defensive options could be a hindrance in his plans.
Van Dijk is a sort of defender any manager would love to have in his tea. The 26-year-old arrived at the St Mary’s in 2015 and since then his rise to prominence is worth praising. He is currently one of the best ball playing defenders in Europe and can initiate attacks with his swift movement. He is adept at making clean tackles and can intercept the ball with supreme precision.
So he has all the qualities a defender should have and Southampton would be more than happy to let him leave for the Catalans for the right pice. But is VVD the right man for Barca?
