Confirmed: Virgil Van Dijk Not For Sale
Reuters / Paul Childs
Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk may have handed in a transfer request at Premier League club Southampton, but Saints chairman Ralph Krueger has gone on to claim that the player will not be for sale this summer.
The defender had gone on to claim last week that he had been insulted by the English club, by issuing a lengthy statement. The star defender continues to seek an exit from the club, and did not play in Southampton’s 0-0 draw against Swansea City in their opening encounter in the Premier League.
However, club chairman Ralph Krueger has claimed that the player is not for sale, as he recently told the media: “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.”
The 26-year-old former Celtic player is being chased by a number of Premier League giants, including the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea. But despite the transfer saga continuing, Krueger went on to add that Van Dijk will be welcomed back with open arms when he accepts the club’s decision.
“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,” he added.
Van Dijk has gone on to become a hot property in the transfer market despite signing a new deal last year. With time running out for the transfer window to shut, it presents an interesting scenario for both Southampton and Van Dijk.
The Saints will be up against West Ham United in a crucial Premier League encounter this weekend, and Mauricio Pellegrino’s side will be hoping to earn a crucial victory.
Written by Rajdeep Saha 
Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.