It hasn't exactly been a successful transfer window for Southampton FC having signed only one player till now, Jan Bednarek—a 21-year-old from the Polish team Lech Poznan, while letting go of important players like Jason McCarthy to West Brom Albion and Jay Rodriguez. Looks like they're in some sticky marsh now as their team captain and star defender Virgin Van Dijk has handed over a transfer request to leave the club.
The Dutch centre-back, 26, is wanted by many top ticket clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. Earlier this year, a considerable amount of drama ensued between the club and the player when the Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino ordered the player to train alone. The 45-year old Argentine remained confident about not selling Van Dijk earlier this year; however, he was worried about the player not giving his 100 per cent.
"I need to work with a player that works at a 100 per cent to defend Soton." he said in a statement he made to BBC Radio Solent back in July.
Van Dijk's side of the story is a little different from that of his boss. He said he handed the transfer request after claiming Southampton FC was about to fine him 2 weeks' worth of wages. "I had very much hoped to retain the good relationship I've always enjoyed with everyone at the club, especially the fans, but unfortunately in the light of everything that's happened, this has now been seriously affected," said the Netherlands international in his statement.
Although Liverpool FC showed tremendous interest in the player initially, Jurgen Klopp has since said he no longer wishes to sign the player citing his satisfaction with his defenders.
The former Celtic player who was bought for 13-million Euros from the Scottish club missed the last five months of the 2016-17 Premier League season due to an injury he picked up against Leicester City, this also forced him to miss the EFL Cup final against Manchester United which Southampton eventually lost.