How Tottenham player is key to Liverpool pursuit of Van Dijk – report

Sat 29 July 2017 13:39, UK

By Harry Sykes

Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer is key to Liverpool’s pursuit of Virgil van Dijk this summer, according to a report.

The Mail claim that Austria international Wimmer “features prominently” on Southampton’s list of candidates to replace Van Dijk.

It is said that the Saints have made contingency plans in case the Holland international gets his wish to leave even though their public stance is that he will not be sold.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to keep Wimmer at White Hart Lane, but is aware of his desire to play regularly first team football and a £20million offer could seal his departure.

Van Dijk has made it clear to Southampton that he wants to quit to join Liverpool, but the club have refused to budge in their hardline stance.

The Mail report that the giant centre-back and his representatives remain hopeful he will be allowed to leave as the Merseysiders – along with Chelsea and Manchester City – prepare to make huge bids.

Football Insider verdict:

Even in the insane summer of 2017 market, it would represent seriously good business for Spurs to get £20million for a fringe player who has done little to suggest he can develop into a solid Premier League centre-back. Wimmer’s career suffered in his second season at White Hart Lane even though Pochettino frequently used a three-man centre-back system. It is no disgrace to be overlooked in favour of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, but Wimmer looked clumsy and off the pace when he was given some rare starts. Maybe a move to a team where he plays regularly could be the making of him, but there would be few tears shed among the Spurs faithful.