Van move ‘will stall’

SOUTHAMPTON are confident they will win their war with Virgil van Dijk – because of the World Cup.

The £60million-rated defender has submitted a transfer request this week that was immediately rejected by the Saints.

The stand-off is set to continue, but they believe the Holland star will be the first one to blink when the transfer window shuts.

The ace up their sleeve is next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.

A Saints source revealed: “Any player worth his salt wants to go to the World Cup.

“That’s the reason why we are so confident that Van Dijk will eventually return to the fold.”

Ironically, Dick Advocaat and his Holland team are facing a scrap to qualify.