Deal almost done as £70m star player said he wants to join Liverpool

Liverpool must sign a top rated and quality central defender before the transfer window shut in a few weeks and Dutchman Virgil van Dijk could be the defender to join.

According to The Gambling Times, Premier League Champions Chelsea are hopeful of signing the defender and the Reds may lose out on this quality Centre half.

However, as per an exclusive report covered by the Irish Independent, the Blues are not even named as suitors. The report claims that after the latest tense discussions between Van Dijk, his representative and Southampton, the 26-year-old center half told the Saints one more time that he wants to join Liverpool.

The same publication have also claimed that since May, the Dutchman has his heart set on linking up with the Anfield based club and his desire has not changed even till now.

It is also reported that the former Celtic defender has not handed an official transfer request to the Saints as yet which could act as a catalyst in helping him move to Anfield, but then he will have to pay a certain amount to Southampton as well. Therefore, he has only informed Southampton Chiefs verbally that he wants to leave.

Virgil played 30 matches in all competitions for the Saints last campaign and netted four goals for the Premier League club. Unfortunately, he sustained a foot injury in January and missed the second stanza of the season.

His current contract with Southampton expires in 2022, and he is valued at around £70m, as per Express.