Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has claimed that Virgil van Dijk can still force a move to Anfield.
The Merseysiders had long coveted the Dutch defender and were widely expected to land the Dutch defender this summer.
However, Liverpool were forced to make an embarrassing public apology after Southampton reported them to football’s authorities over an alleged illegal approach to the centre-half. Liverpool were accused of tapping-up Van Dijk by the Saints earlier this month.
However, Aldridge, who made 104 appearances for the Merseysiders between 1987-1989, claimed on Thursday that the transfer is not yet fully “dead in the water” due to the ability the modern player has to force a move for themselves.
“Players and their agents hold all the power these days and if he says he won’t kick another ball for Southampton and demands a move, it will happen,” he said to the Daily Mirror.
You’d have to wonder, however, is that the type of character who Liverpool fans would welcome to their club?
If Van Dijk refused to play for Southampton, it would hint at a complete lack of loyalty to the Saints and his team-mates.
“Tapping up goes on all the time in the game and even if Liverpool went a bit far in their pursuit of Van Dijk before they spoke to Southampton, I don’t believe this transfer story is dead in the water,” said the Liverpool scoring great to the Daily Mirror.
Aldridge believes Liverpool need to become more active in the transfer market if they’re to improve next year.
“So I still see this transfer happening one way or the other, and I certainly hope it does, because I’d like to have seen a little more movement from Liverpool in the transfer market this summer,” said Aldridge.
