Steven Gerrard backs Liverpool to sign Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool have spent the summer attempting to prise Van Dijk away from Southampton.
The Reds first attempted to sign him back in July, but the Saints reported them to the FA for making an illegal approach.
Though Jurgen Klopp continues to pursue the Dutchman, Southampton have so far refused to let him join Liverpool.
Van Dijk has handed in a transfer request with the South Coast side but manager Mauricio Pellegrino continues to claim the defender will not be on the move this summer.
Liverpool nearly had a deal for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk wrapped up
However, the Daily Mail claim Liverpool nearly signed Van Dijk for £50million last month.
Yet Southampton's anger with the Reds ultimately prevented Liverpool from landing their chief transfer target.
It is said that, two months on, the wounds remain raw.
Pellegrino is reportedly demanding a huge £70million to part with the 26-year-old, who only signed a new contract in May last year.
And, speaking to talkSport, pundit John Collins thinks he was wrong to sign a deal without a buyout clause.
GETTY
Liverpool nearly signed Virgil van Dijk for £50million
GETTY
Jurgen Klopp was frustrated with Liverpool for failing to sign Virgil van Dijk
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“Virgil van Dijk, I know Virgil very well,” Collins said.
“He’s a good boy but I don’t know why he signed this six-year extension last year to be perfectly honest.
“When you sign an extension six months earlier, unless your agent has got a buyout clause put in it and a buying club makes it, then his agent’s not done a good job for him.
“It looks like Southampton are going to dig their heels in and it looks like Liverpool are going to dig their heels in.”
