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Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk. Stephen Pond

'I don't think he's worth £60m' - Former Liverpool defender expresses doubts over Van Dijk

Steve Nicol: “Can he do it at one of the big boys? I don’t know.”

VIRGIL VAN DIJK is not worth £60 million and there are questions over whether he can deliver at a top club like Liverpool, according to Steve Nicol.

Liverpool continue to be linked with the defender despite claiming earlier this month to have dropped their interest in him, when the Reds apologised to Southampton for “any misunderstanding” surrounding their pursuit, following an alleged illegal approach.

Nicol, a five-time league winner at Anfield, insisted a move will still happen if his former club can find common ground on a fee with the Saints, although he is concerned by reports that such a sum could prove to be as much as £60m.

“If the price is right, then yes,” Nicol said to ESPN when asked if the transfer for the Netherlands international could still happen. “If the price is right, which I hope is not £60m, because I don’t think he’s worth £60m.

“Liverpool need a centre-back, I guess sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Whether the valuation is correct or not, Liverpool need a centre-back. He is a good player, the question is can he deliver at Liverpool? He did it at Southampton, can he do it at one of the big boys? I don’t know.”

Nicol believes that Liverpool’s apology has to be the end of the matter, with no further action taken by the authorities.

“Absolutely – if you are going to turn around and start disciplining Liverpool or any other team for this sort of behaviour, I’ll tell you what, you are going to be very busy,” he said.

“I’m not going to argue that it’s not unethical, but it’s about as common as muck. It happens every single time there’s a transfer, somebody gets tapped up. Everybody knows it but everybody turns a blind eye to it.

“If the FA or anybody else want to go after Liverpool or any other club for this type of behaviour, you’re going to be very busy because they’re all at it.”

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    Mute Anthony Connery
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    Jun 5th 2016, 4:36 PM

    That’s shocking to be honest. He shouldn’t have went to Thailand if he was going meeting up with the international team.. I didn’t even know he was Jamaican

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    Mute Lorcán Coyle
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    Jun 5th 2016, 5:41 PM

    I Believe it was a tour for the owners who are from there. But I agree with you general.

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    Mute Trev Gilmore
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    Jun 5th 2016, 4:35 PM

    If he’s too tired to play now how will he cope with the extra games next season. Leicster may want to sign a couple new center backs. Huth and Morgan are both in their 30s and who’s the current back up?

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    Mute Professional Chef
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    Jun 5th 2016, 3:07 PM

    Prob smoking to much Green.

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    Mute Brian Les
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    Jun 5th 2016, 3:14 PM

    ??

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