SOUTHAMPTON REPORT AGAINST LIVERPOOL’S APPROACH FOR VAN DIJK: A SMOKESCREEN TO COMBAT FAN OUTRAGE?

Liverpool were termed as the front-runners by several outlets in chase of their long-term transfer target Virgil Van Dijk ahead of the heavyweights like Chelsea and Manchester City. But today’s news has triggered a social media meltdown when Southampton ridiculously decided to report Premier League about Liverpool for an illegal approach for their 25-year old Dutch centre-back. Earlier, it was reported that the Dutchman has chosen Liverpool over Manchester City as he prefers to work under Klopp and described them as a “beautiful club”.

The Reds were ‘reportedly’ ready to pay more than £50 mil for the top-notch centre-back making him world’s costliest defender and agreed on personal terms on £180,000 per week wage. But Southampton’s report of tapping up the Dutchman has now jeopardised the deal.

The Saints, however, have their grounds considering the rules followed in Premier League:

‘A club intending to conclude a contract with a professional must inform his current club in writing before entering into negotiations.’

But there are certain loopholes regarding this sudden confusion.

Manchester Evening News have confirmed that City have ended their interest in Virgil Van Dijk due to his hefty fee. That means they have also been in contact with the player ( or the club ?) about a transfer.

Saints felt suspicious when several media outlets reported ‘Van Dijk to Liverpool ‘ news at the same time but they have no objection when the same media mentioned the names of Chelsea and Manchester City as well regarding this transfer saga.

Are Liverpool being made a scapegoat of their recent history?  There are certain reasons to believe it.

Saints have become a selling club for past few campaigns who have repeatedly been raided by the Premier League heavyweights. Liverpool have raided them the most as the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane forced a move to join the Reds. They failed to prevent those amidst fan outrage and the ‘Van Dijk’ drama might be a smokescreen to combat further bitterness.

Also, there is no official confirmation from player’s camp yet about Liverpool’s potential swoop and the rumours from tabloids do not hold a proof of rule violation.

There are plenty of transfer incidents where the clubs contact informally with agents first regarding the status of their clients and if the response is positive, official bids are made to lure their employers. Luis Suarez to Barcelona, Paul Pogba to Manchester United –  Premier League’s biggest of transfers never happened in a single day. If Virgil Van Dijk move is under scrutiny, those deals need to be investigated in the first place.

Many might bring up the controversial transfer of Ashley Cole from Arsenal to Chelsea. Cole rejected several transfer offers from the Gunners and met the Blues boss Jose Mourinho to discuss a potential transfer without informing Arsenal. The move occurred, however, both the parties were charged with violation of regulations. Van Dijk has neither rejected a new contract offer nor he met Jurgen Klopp personally (at least there is no legitimate proof of it). An investigation on the basis of mere speculations is groundless and should be overruled in the first place.