Now Van Dijk goes on strike
FROM BACK PAGE expected to reignite their interest in the former Celtic defender but he will cost £60million after their botched attempt to sign him a few weeks ago led to a complaint from Saints.
Pellegrino said: “The boy said that he is not available to play because he wants to leave. I had to say ‘if you don’t want to be involved then you have to train alone.’
“The club have told me they will not sell Virgil.
“He is not involved with the team because psychologically he is not 100 per cent. I need to work with players who are 100 per cent with Southampton.”
St Mary’s insiders claim Van Dijk told Pellegrino this week that he was prepared to train but not play at 100 per cent.
Southampton insist they will not cave into player power and will leave the 26-year-old sitting in the stands until he changes his mind.
Jurgen Klopp’s pursuit of Van Dijk sparked a tapping-up row last month – Liverpool said they had withdrawn interest under the threat of Premier League punishment.
Unless he has a change of heart, Van Dijk will be left behind when Pellegrino takes his squad to France on Monday.
Pellegrino added: “We need the player but we need him at 100 per cent.”
And making it clear that no player is above the team, he said: “There are a few examples of a player who was more important than the rest – like Di Stefano, and Pele. Today maybe Messi.
“The team needs important players, but important players need the team more.”