Manager wanted to sell international ace to Liverpool this summer – Times

Sat 16 September 2017 20:00, UK

By Richard Parks

Mauricio Pellegrino wanted to sell Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool this summer after growing fed-up with his attempts to quit Southampton, according to a report.

The Times claim the new Saints manager was at odds with the club’s board over their firm stance to keep Van Dijk in the face of concerted interest from the Merseysiders.

It is said that the Argentine manager “would happily have sold Van Dijk” after he tried to force through a move to Liverpool by handing in a transfer request.

However, he was over-ruled by Southampton chiefs, who stuck to their guns over rejecting all interest in the Holland international.

Van Dijk must now trying to force his way into Pellegrino’s plans after playing no part in the team’s opening four matches.

He is yet to return to first-team training and is instead working with the Under-23 side after making his first appearance since January in an academy team who were beaten 4-0 by Aston Villa on Monday.

Football Insider verdict:

Southampton may have held on to their £55million-valued asset, but he is not much use to Pellegrino while he is stewing on the sidelines, or sulking in the youth team. The new manager has enough headaches turning around the Saints’ fitful form without trying to get his star man on the straight and narrow. Southampton should have forgotten about their pride and instead sold Van Dijk to Liverpool and used the proceeds to strengthen a squad that looks the least effective one they have had for years.