VAN MAN TO KOP A DEAL
Saints ace sides with Klopp
SOUTHAMPTON’S £60m-rated defender Virgil van Dijk has told Jurgen Klopp that he wants to join his Liverpool revolution.
The Dutch international looked like he was on his way to Manchester City as part of Pep Guardiola’s summer rebuild.
Champions Chelsea were expected to be the only club with the financial clout to challenge City for the 25-year-old’s signature.
But Kop boss Klopp’s powers of persuasion have won the battle to convince Van Dijk that his best move is to Anfield.
Now the hard work begins, with Liverpool needing to agree a fee with Saints.
Klopp has been promised between £100m and £150m to spend, depending on what he can raise in sales.
And he is prepared to shell out a large chunk of that cash to match his two rivals and meet Southampton’s huge asking price.
Klopp has also launched a charm offensive, which has turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour.
The German coach has spoken passionately about his vision for returning the Reds to the top of the European game following Champions League qualification.
And that, according to ® Anfield sources, has captured Van Dijk’s imagination as he weighs up his options. Liverpool are also believed to be ready to match whatever salary offer their rivals are prepared to table. That could see the ex-Celtic star sign a deal not far behind the new £150,000-aweek contract handed to midfielder Philippe Coutinho last season. Klopp’s confidence appeared to be reflected by the bookies yesterday as they stopped taking bets on the star moving to Merseyside. However, one player who does not appear to be heading to Liverpool, this summer at least, is Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita. The 22-year-old Guinea ace helped the German side qualify for the Champions League and his boss Ralph Hasenhuttl insists he will not leave. He said: “He feels well, and we love him. We are a super exciting club. Naby sees how much the coaching staff invest to make him better. “If I take the celebrations after qualifying for the Champions League as a benchmark, Naby will stay with us forever. You just don’t just leave a squad like ours.”