Deal Almost Agreed as Liverpool target hints at January exit

Southampton center-back Virgil van Dijk has hinted he would still like to leave the English Premier League club when the January transfer window reopens in the New year.

The Netherlands international defender submitted a transfer request back in August and said he wanted to join Merseyside giant Liverpool.

His Premier League club Southampton refused to cash in on the former Celtic player, who returned to their first team for the first time this campaign on Saturday.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino told Van Dijk, who signed a new six-year deal back in May 2016, to train away from the team in July amid rumour over his future.

The 26-year-old played his first match of the season when he came off the bench against Crystal Palace in September, and then started Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Stoke City.

The Reds ended their interest in the defender back in June after the Saints said they were going to report Klopp’s team to the Premier League for approaching their player illegally.

However, Virgil Van Dijk – who was also strongly linked with Premier League giants Manchester City and Chelsea – says he has no regrets about asking to leave Southampton, who signed him for about £13million back in September 2013.