Southampton report Liverpool over alleged illegal Van Dijk approach
Southampton requested the Premier League to investigate an alleged illegal approach from Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk. It is understood that the defender apparently indicated that he is eager to move to Anfield despite Southampton not receiving any contact from Liverpool regarding the defender.
Jurgen Klopp has made Van Dijk his top target this summer and is understood to have been key in persuading Van Dijk to favour Liverpool over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, and Southampton believed that amounts to an illegal approach.
Saints look set to reject any official approach for the 25-year-old having reportedly become irritated with Liverpool’s pursuit of the defender, feeling they have unsettled one of their key assets.
Last month, Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger indicated that the club could turn down even a £60million bid for Van Dijk,
“Can we? Yes,” Krueger said. “We do not need to sell any player for the first time since I’ve been here.”
Van Dijk signed a six-year contract 11 months ago but made only 21 Premier League appearances last season after missing the second half of the season with an ankle ligament injury.
Liverpool refuse to be held ransom over Mohamed Salah deal
Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for the Mohamed Salah as they look to bolster their attacking options during the summer. Reports from Italy over the weekend suggested an agreement was imminent, a fee has yet to be agreed with no talks having taken place since last week.
Roma are holding out for a fee that would make Salah Liverpool’s record signing, eclipsing the £35m paid to Newcastle United for Andy Carroll in 2011. However, Liverpool are refusing to pay over the odds for the 24-year-old, and are considering alternative players should a deal not materialise.
Roma President Jim Pallotta addressed Liverpool’s interest in the player earlier this week when saying there was “nothing in it at the moment”.
The Reds stepped up attempts to sign Salah when it emerged Julian Brandt was not keen on a move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen due to fears over a lack of playing time.
Liverpool join the race to sign Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa as Salah alternative
Liverpool have been named among several clubs in the chase for Douglas Costa. The Bayern Munich winger is keen to make a move this summer having struggled to earn a regular spot under Carlo Ancelotti.
Costa would cost around £35million, a fee similar to Salah, but Liverpool would face competition from a number of clubs such as Tottenham, Juventus, Manchester City, and Manchester United who are also interested in the Bayern winger.
