Southampton Football Club has today reiterated that Virgil van Dijk is not for sale.
Saints chairman Ralph Krueger insists that the 26-year-old centre-back will not be making the switch to Anfield or anywhere else before the end of the month despite the player having requested to be allowed to leave.
<<– Buy football club shares online –>>
Krueger said:”Our stance remains based on our strategy from May when we spoke last.
“I already told you the numbers that we have transferred in and transferred out and it is time to stop that.
“We really thought this was a good summer for that. Strength of the contracts, age of the group and the experiences of last year like going to a cup final gave us the feeling this is a group that tasted that winning and keeping them together would give us the chance to reach another level.
“Virgil is not the only player that is involved in this he is part of the whole strategy of not selling. Nobody is for sale that we don’t want to sell and so he is not for sale in this window. We have said it more than once.
“We are not done with the window yet. We are still looking at some options. I am not going to promise anything. It has got to be something that truly strengthens the squad and fits into our group.
“We are still looking and at the end of the transfer window we will see who we have and what we have.
“Mauricio has done an amazing job of dealing with this situation. It has not disrupted our team. It is not in any way caused a lack of focus in training, in the locker room, and of course, everybody will open their arms when Virgil comes back and we go at it.”
Asked if they would turn down a ludicrous offer for the player, Krueger said: “I will tell you one thing – over the years we have spoken I don’t give definite answers where there isn’t a definite.
“With all the knowledge I have today and all the information I have on my plate right now my answer is we are carrying our strategy through the summer and that’s it.”
Earlier today, a source on the members’ website said there had been fresh contact between Liverpool and Southampton in relation to the player’s availability. More on that in the ‘Scouting Department’ section of the members’ community.
