Van Dijk goes to war with Saints...
VIRGIL VAN DIJK last night handed in a transfer request in a bid to force a move from Southampton.
And his stance is almost certainly set to earn former club Celtic a multi-million pound windfall.
The Hoops are reported to be due a 10 per cent cut of any sell-on fee for the Dutchman who has been a long-term target for Liverpool and Chelsea.
He insists he is acting having had “numerous” discussions during the past six months about his wish to leave.
In a statement released by his management company he also said he intended to appeal against a club fine of two weeks’ wages, that his desire to leave owes to his ambition, and that enquiries from “multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed”.
“It is with regret that I have handed in a transfer request,” Van Dijk said.
“I have no alternative after I was given notice of the club’s intention to fine me the equivalent to two weeks’ wages.
“Over the past six months I have held numerous discussions with representatives of the board, the former manager Claude Puel as well as the new manager Mauricio Pellegrino to inform them all of my desire to leave in search of a new challenge.
“I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I can to fulfil my potential.
“I want to play European football again and challenge for major honours. I have been left frustrated by the club’s position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.”
Van Dijk joined Southampton for £13million when his compatriot Ronald Koeman was manager.