KOP LINK WITH VAN DIJK ANGERS SAINTS

SOUTHAMPTON have asked the English Premier League to investigate an alleged illegal approach by Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk. The Anfield club have made him their top transfer target and are ready to smash the world record transfer fee for a defender. Van Dijk is believed to want to work with Jurgen Klopp. Manchester City would not be prepared to pay more than £45million while Chelsea’s need to sign a central defender is not pressing. But Liverpool have yet to make contact with Southampton in terms of lodging an official bid and the St Mary’s club have reacted furiously, believing Liverpool have unsettled the 25-year-old. The Anfield club have refused to comment, while the Premier League also declined to comment yesterday over whether they had been contacted by Saints. Premier League rules stipulate that a club can only approach a target if they have the written consent of the selling club or, alternatively, if the player is out of contract or his contract is about to expire. Van Dijk has five years remaining on the six-year deal he signed 11 months ago. With Saints having valued him at £50m, it is likely to take a figure closer to £60m to secure his release, with former club Celtic due a ten-per-cent sell-on fee.