Southampton gave media from all around the world a great story to run just before the January transfer window after they decided to drop Dutch international Virgil van Dijk from the squad for the last two games. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are desperate for his signature but Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are also looking at him as a possible addition to a champions-elect squad at the Emirates stadium.
So it does not come as a surprise that there are rumours all over media, that claim that the Southampton centre-back has agreed on a deal with one of those clubs, for a move in January.
However, with days left for the window to open, there is still room for speculation and the Spanish media are doing their thing. According to reports from Spanish news publication Sport, Catalan giants Barcelona have joined the race to sign the 26-year old in the winter transfer window.
The report claims that Barcelona are desperate for some reinforcements, having had to stick with Thomas Vermaelen, the fourth choice centre-back for the El Classico earlier this month. It is also understood that Van Dijk is tempted to move to the Camp Nou, to play alongside some of the best in the game. But is Van Dijk the right option for Barcelona?
The La Liga outfit have an ageing Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano as options for their defence along with Samuel Umtiti, their first choice and Thomas Vermaelen, their third choice.
Former Liverpool star Mascherano is not expected to stay at the club for too long and Pique is also in need of a long-term successor and Van Dijk fits the bill perfectly. Though he has very little experience in Europe, he has 76 Premiership and 67 Premier League appearances and is an established star.
He was one of the best CBs in the league last season but has not been at his best this season, after his head was turned towards Anfield in the summer transfer window. However, Southampton seem to have decided to let him leave in January and there is just one reason for Barcelona to not sign him.
That is his price. It is reported that Southampton will hold out at £70m for their defensive beast, which will be a record for a defender. However, as gifted as he is, Van Dijk could solve the CB problem at the Camp Nou for years to come and is a worthy investment.
Do you think Barcelona can find a better defender for a lesser price, anytime soon?
