SOUTHAMPTON CENTRE-BACK Virgil van Dijk has confirmed he has handed in a transfer request and has hit out at his employers for handing him a two-week fine and accusing him of refusing the train.
The 26-year-old’s future has been subject to a long-running saga this summer, with Premier League sides Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all associated with the player.
Indeed, Saints even accused the Anfield club of making an illegal approach for the ex-Celtic man, although Jurgen Klopp has distanced his side from making a move for the defender.
Nevertheless, after he was left out of Southampton’s squad for a pre-season training camp in Evian-les-Bains, France, after asking manager Mauricio Pellegrino for a move, speculation has only grown increasingly rife.
Now the player himself has confirmed his decision to leave.
The Dutchman said, via a statement to The Times:
“It is with regret that I can confirm that I have today handed in a transfer request to leave Southampton Football Club.
“Unfortunately I feel I have no alternative after I was given notice of the club’s intention to impose a disciplinary sanction against me of a fine equivalent to two week’s wages. I will be appealing what I feel to be an unjustified sanction and their inability to follow the correct disciplinary protocol in due course.
Over the past six months I have held numerous discussions with representatives of the board, the former manager Claude Puel as well as the new manager Mauricio Pellegrino to inform them all of my desire to leave the club in search of a new challenge.
I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer. I want to play European football again and challenge for major honours and as such I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist.
I have been left frustrated by the club’s position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.
“The period of time that I have just spent injured and unable to play has put a number of things into perspective and made me realise just how important it is to take major opportunities should they arise.
I have consistently relayed my feelings to senior management at Southampton in what I believed to be private and personal conversations. Disappointingly, these conversations have regularly found their way into the media.
I would also like to make clear that I have never once refused to train. I can confirm that I was asked about my frame of mind and for all of the reasons mentioned above I was open and honest in saying that I did not feel I was in a settled mindset given the circumstances.
Following this conversation the manager explained that he only wanted players who he felt were 100% committed to Southampton and told me I would therefore have to train away from the first team.
As a proud professional I am insulted by the suggestion that it was me who refused to train and so feel it is important to point out the true version of events.
“I had very much hoped to retain the good relationship I’ve always enjoyed with everyone at the club, especially the fans, but unfortunately in light of everything that’s happened this has now been seriously affected.
I would like to make clear that I have nothing but gratitude to everyone at Southampton for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League.
However, the time for me to move on is now and I hope to be able to work with the club to find the best resolution to suit all parties.”
Van Dijk, whose current deal expires in 2022, has spent two years at Saints, where he has played 68 times in all competitions, scoring seven goals in the process.
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Jesus i hope klopp is full of $hit saying he is happy with his 4 centre backs.sign him no matter the cost
@j lad: maybe Liverpool are pushing out the saga in hope of getting the price reduced, as the amount of money being branded about is way too much for him, i would rather a seasoned winning centreback for that amount of money!
@Declan: yep, shoe is on the other foot now, it’s open season after the request. Little chance VVD can stay now, but LFC need to get their bid right as Chelski will definitely put a cheeky bid in, wouldn’t be surprised to see City try make a move as well…
Milk them for whatever you can get Southampton, I can’t believe he will probably become the most expensive centre half ever.
@Dave Murray: I bet you couldn’t believe Kyle Walker went for £50 million either. The market is what it is.
@Seriously: Definitely not, if a player like Walker went for 50 million then I can only imagine how much Southampton will rightfully demand for van Dijk. I think Walker has just set a minimum in terms of pricing for a premier league defender in this crazy market.
@Dave Murray: The market is crazy, but to stay out of it will only result falling behind rival clubs. Spurs will find that out.
@Dave Murray: van dyke s price in current value is about right at 50 to 60 million , it would be a good fit in the Liverpool jigsaw if they get him ?
Why did you sign a new 6 year contract this time last year then? A 6 year contract should mean that you actually intend to be there for 6 years as opposed to the pay rise he got. Southampton should cash in ASAP to bring in a replacement before the season starts.
@Gordon Glynn: Neymar?Suarez do you need me to continue or are you really that green?
Welcome to Liverpool
@Bruce Lee: I’d laugh if he ended up at Chelsea.
@The Bloody Nine: I wouldn’t be laughing but I wouldn’t be surprised
@The Bloody Nine: That would be something alright….
Tick Tock Tick Tock
@The Jacket: you said it Marcus job centre calling for Klopp
@Johnny Bravo: I’d say a new pair of jocks is needed for Marcus as he has wet himself with excitement :-)
@Sloop John G: on the way RACIST. Dry your eye’s. That’s 3 in total you need to dry !
@The Jacket: just for you Marcus
http://www.skysports.com/share/10978155
@The Jacket: what you talkin bout boy ???
@Sloop John G: A, you’re racist remarks regarding the Asian fans singing you’ll never walk alone, B, dry you’re eyes as VVD is on route and C, 3 eyes as in you have a snatch. As im toying with the notion your a female as i have only seen my other half get excited as you when i hand over the diamonds every week. Seen as you seem to have more then a fetish with the beachy boys and the mighty pool… ah well, you know, you’re picking up what im putting down girlygirl xx
@The Jacket: Snatch? Fetish? Girlygirl? You’re pervy side is showing again Marcus or maybe this is how you and your boyfriends talk to one another :-) Doubt you have an “other half” but I do know you have many alter egos so maybe the “diamonds” are for them. As for the Beach Boys reference, you still don’t get it do you? Obviously not very bright, you keep tripping yourself up between your multiple accounts. I guess you’re preparing to roll out yet another one in time for the start of the new season. I pity the fool :-)
@Sloop John G: ok BA. No thoughts another weird fetish. Poor girlygirl. In fairness we do get a good giggle from your posts at tea time in canteen. Keeo them coming girlygirl !
@The Jacket: teatime in the canteen with your “girlygirl” friends. I can see it now. I guess you’re in charge of the fairy cakes :-)
He does sound like a bit of a brat alright. Reminds me of the Payet saga
Klopp was playing his cards right saying he’d lost interest in signing him. He’s on his way to ‘Pool for sure. Replacing Lovren with this guy will improve them no end.
I reckon he’ll go to Liverpool, if they get him in and manage to hold onto Coutinho that will be a good transfer window for them
Insulted and frustrated my eye. How does he think Southampton feel. They took him from a shit league, no doubt improving his wages and how does he repay them ? By missing half the season, signing a new contract ( no doubt improved yet again) that he had not intention of fulfilling, refusing to train with the squad or play in pre season friendlies, then toys out of pram and transfer request. Ahhh poor Virgil ….
@powerfix: Spot on powerfix. Sounds like he might be related to Marcus :-)
Joke of the summer this transfer, some naughty carry on by player and one club at least. Like fair play rules either scratch tapping up issues or enforce.
@Scott Crossfield: you must be having a laugh. Dani Alves decides last second to move to PSG on advice from a player who plays with Barca and then is joined by him a month later.
Why did he sign a new contract if he told them of his intentions to leave. Sounds like a load of nonsense, and for throwing his toys out of his pram they should put a price of 100m on his head and serve him right. Not even Chelsea will pay that !!!
VVD will go to United with Smalling joining West Ham according to my source
Thommo and Nollaig, where are thou, i need to have some banter but only SloopFetish and johnny bla bla are here as usual. You know, the girlygirls that dont troll ! EVER !!!!
@The Jacket: ah poor Marcus, no trolling here, just winding you up Marcus and you fall for it EVERY time. I pity the fool.
Where was he refusing THE train.The Journal, get a spell checker.Journal strikes again