Liverpool signs Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for record fee
Liverpool announced Wednesday the club has signed centre-back Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for an undisclosed world-record fee for a defender, which Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph reports is £75 million.
Both Liverpool and Southampton confirmed the deal would be completed when the transfer window opens on Jan. 1, 2018.
That £75-million figure makes Van Dijk the most expensive defender in history - roughly £20-£25 million more than City paid for each of Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker - and would put him level with Romelu Lukaku as the seventh-most expensive transfer of all time.
Bit more detail on Van Dijk deal. It's £70m, rising to around £75m. Southampton wanted big chunk up front as they plan to be active in January too and want to get an attacker in quickly.
— Jeremy Wilson (@JWTelegraph) December 27, 2017
Wilson reports the two clubs have held discreet meetings in recent days and have hammered out terms for the deal, which is likely to include a salary of around £180,000 per week. It also concludes Liverpool's protracted pursuit of the Netherlands international from last summer - one that saw Van Dijk hand in a transfer request and the Saints issue a complaint to the Premier League against Liverpool for making an illegal approach.
Liverpool issued a public apology for the "misunderstanding" and formally announced an end to its pursuit in July.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino slowly reintroduced Van Dijk into the team following his self-imposed exile at the start of the year, but once again benched Van Dijk in the build-up to this now-confirmed move.
Wilson reports Chelsea had also reportedly lodged a "large offer" for the defender but adds that Van Dijk's preference has always been to work with Jurgen Klopp. With the move now confirmed, the German tactician can introduce a new defender to his ranks, which should help mitigate some of the team's defensive errors - the sort that have hampered results despite Liverpool boasting an exciting, dynamic, and free-scoring attacking quartet.
Van Dijk also brings with him a penchant for passing, which Klopp's side could desperately use from the backline, as well as height and presence, which should help in set-piece situations.