BARCA IN VAN RACE

LIVERPOOL will face competition from Barcelona in the race for £50million-rated defender Virgil van Dijk.

Scouts from the Catalan giants watched the unsettled Dutchman (above) in Holland’s clash with Sweden during the international break.

And they are now weighing up a move for the Southampton star.

Saints were unhappy with Liverpool’s pursuit of Van Dijk during the

summer — forcing the Anfield club to apologise.

And if they do cash in, Southampton would rather sell the 26-year-old to a club abroad than Liverpool or any other Premier League rival.

Manchester City had also asked to be kept informed of any developments regarding Van Dijk’s future and Chelsea were in the hunt for him over the summer.

Barca’s interest in Van Dijk has grown at a time when Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed his frustration that his failed bid to land the Saints star is mentioned every time his team make a defensive mistake.