OFFICIAL: Premier League Side Liverpool Announces £75m Signing
Reuters / Matthew Childs
Liverpool have reached an agreement with Southampton over the transfer of Virgil van Dijk for £75 million – a world record fee for a defender.
News of the agreement comes before the beginning of the winter transfer window, and he will officially join the club once it opens on the first of January.
Talks were on going between Liverpool and Southampton for quite a while, and Van Dijk finally had his medical ahead of the move to Anfield on Wednesday. However, negotiations were not always smooth, and the deal caused quite the stir in the summer.
The Reds were desperate to sign the Dutchman in June, and illegally approached him – a move that angered the higher-ups at St. Mary’s.
The Saints made a formal complaint to the Premier League, and Jurgen Klopp’s side were forced to issue a public apology, even claiming that they had officially ended their interest in the defender.
It was common knowledge that they still fancied him though, and the fact that they have now secured his signature comes as no real surprise.
Manchester City were also said to be interested in a move, but were put off by his price tag. Chelsea held an interest as well, but there was no concrete offer being prepared.
Liverpool announced the deal on Twitter, posting a picture of the defender holding their jersey in his living room in front of their christmas tree. Van Dijk will reportedly earn a whopping £200,000-a-week at Anfield.
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