Whopping Virgil deal is a sign of the times
JIM BEGLIN believes football is now in the realms of “fantasy finance” after Liverpool agreed a massive £75MILLION deal for defender Virgil van Dijk.
The Anfield club will blow the transfer window wide open tomorrow with their sensational swoop for Southampton’s centre-back.
And former Liverpool defender Beglin said: “Never mind fantasy football, this is fantasy finance.
“The Van Dijk deal makes me wonder how much Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson would have been worth in today’s market.
“I was lucky enough to play alongside them in Liverpool’s back four, so I know how good they were individually and also as a pair.”
Former Republic of Ireland left-back Beglin (below) can understand why Liverpool are paying so much for Van Dijk, 26, though.
Kop boss Jurgen Klopp wanted to recruit a top central defender to help his side get back to winning trophies.
And Beglin, who was a league title winner in 1986, said: “If that’s what you’ve got to pay in today’s market to improve the situation, that’s the way it is.”
Manchester City were also strongly linked with Van Dijk, despite boss
Pep Guardiola’s denial.
Beglin, 54, believes Liverpool acted quickly to tie up the deal because of the potential threat from the runaway league leaders.
It is understood City had their valuation on Van Dijk and would not go above the figure of £50m.
But Beglin said: “Liverpool were aware that Manchester City were around and linked with Van Dijk.
“To be fair to him, it’s been clear for some time that his ambition was to join Liverpool and he has stayed loyal in that respect.”
But Beglin can understand why clubs would see City as a threat and why players would want play for Guardiola. He said: “Pep has a team who are starting to look like the Barcelona he made so successful. “But he’s had to work on this City side for a year, without winning anything, to get where they are now.”
Klopp is hoping that £75m man Van Dijk can help Liverpool be serious competition for Guardiola’s all-conquering City in the long term.