Liverpool have agreed to a club-record deal to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
A source close to Liverpool said the fee for the deal was £75 million, which would make van Dijk the most expensive transfer in club history and also constitute a record fee for a defender. Van Dijk will wear the No. 4 shirt upon his arrival at Anfield.
Southampton also confirmed the deal, announcing: “Southampton have agreed a fee that will set a new world-record for a defender. The club wishes Virgil well in his future when the deal is completed on January 1st 2018.”
Van Dijk wrote on Instagram: “Delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool FC player! Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football!”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the record fee will prove money well spent if Van Dijk helps the Reds to more success.
“Rio Ferdinand went to Manchester United, for I think just over £30m, but he repaid that. He was Manchester United’s top centre-back, won trophies and was there for 10 years,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“That’s what Van Dijk has to do — take Liverpool to trophies and be Liverpool’s main, No. 1, centre-back for the next decade or so.”
