Report: Southampton will move for Celtic's £10-million defender Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk may have played his last match for Celtic.

The 24-year-old centre-back will be the subject of yet another pursuit from Southampton, according to David Hytner of the Guardian. The club is confident that it can land his signature, which is valued at £10 million, following its failure to acquire Toby Alderweireld.

Southampton apparently wanted to wait until after van Dijk featured in the second leg of Celtic's Champions League play-off at Malmo, a fixture that produced a 2-0 result and eliminated the Scottish club from the competition.

It was reported back in July that Southampton was weighing up a bid for van Dijk, to which the defender told Voetbal International, "Of course the Champions League millions are important for Celtic, but they cannot dismiss any interest. If the correct amount is placed on the table, then they will really think about it. If Celtic want to earn money from me, the club must act now.

"It is time for a new challenge. This year I'll turn 24, and I need something new. More pressure, better opponents, especially when you think of the European Championships next year."

Despite featuring in the Champions League for Celtic, van Dijk would not be cup-tied for the group stage of the Europa League if Southampton was to qualify as he only took the pitch in the play-offs of the former competition.