Liverpool Can Still Sign Virgil van Dijk – Stuart Pearce

According to Stuart Pearce, Liverpool can still sign Virgil van Dijk this summer if they pay the £70 million that Southampton are demanding.

It’s safe to say that there is very little clarity on where Liverpool stand as far as Virgil van Dijk is concerned. After being reported to the Premier League by Southampton for “tapping up,” Liverpool issued a public apology and retracted all interest in the Dutchman.

So, where does that leave Liverpool? Well, the official statement that was issued on Monday leaves very little room for manoeuvring as it plainly states that the Reds are no longer interested in van Dijk. Although, the player himself is in limbo after making it public that he wants a move this summer.

Southampton have apparently hiked up van Dijk’s price to a ridiculous £70 million and Stuart Pearce believes that Liverpool could sign the centre-back if they paid the silly money.

“I still at this moment in time wouldn’t rule Liverpool out,” Pearce told Sky Sports, via The Express.

“If they meet Southampton’s valuation I think they will shake hands, say they’ve got a good deal out of it and sanction the player to go.”

With just under three weeks to go until the transfer window opens, there is still plenty of time for Liverpool or van Dijk to push through a move. Given the way this particular transfer story has twisted and turned, I can see it dragging out until August.

Signing van Dijk, even for a preposterous £70 million would radically change the way the Reds defend but can you really put a price on that? The Dutchman alongside Joel Matip would be one of the most efficient centre-back partnerships in the league and Jürgen Klopp will know that.

The biggest thing working in Liverpool’s favour will be that van Dijk wants to move to Merseyside. Even if the way he was convinced was illegal and has landed the Reds in hot water, there is no denying van Dijk’s desire to play for Klopp.

With that in mind, I believe that there is a chance for this move to go through but it will certainly not be as straightforward as we might have hoped for.