da fazobetai： Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino is hopeful that Virgil van Dijk will not push for a move away following talks this week, according to the Liverpool Echo.
What’s the story?
da pinup bet： The Dutchman’s future has been a talking point for months now, with numerous big-name clubs being linked to his signature.
Liverpool were favourites to land Van Dijk, and even after publicly apologising and withdrawing their interest, the Merseyside outfit have still been linked to him.
Southampton accused the Reds of tapping up their star defender, but the football governing bodies are not expected to take any action.
The Express claimed last week that Van Dijk effectively went on strike to force through a move when he was left out of the Saints’ pre-season trip to France.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the centre-back will hold showdown talks with Southampton this week, and Pellegrino is hopeful that his player will back down and reintegrate himself into the squad.
Can they keep hold of him?
Of course. Van Dijk still has five years left on his contract, so the coastal club have no need to sell.
The problem that they face, though, is risking disharmony in the camp if the Dutchman is forced to stay at the club.
The 26-year-old’s exclusion from the pre-season squad indicates that he is not wholly committed to his club of two years.
Footballers have more power than ever before, and in most cases, when a player wants out, clubs sanction a transfer eventually.
It will all depend on Van Dijk’s attitude and whether he can come to an agreement with the club, whether that be staying put this season or sealing a move away.