Liverpool are planning to beat their rivals to the signing Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
The defender has been targeted by several top teams in England and Europe. He has been linked with most notably Man City, but it seems that Pep Guardiola is now focused on signing a more experienced defender to partner John Stones.
Liverpool are now closer to sealing a deal for the defender. But they may not be able to afford his transfer fee.
Southampton want £50 Million for van Dijk, and that may be hard for Liverpool to pay considering that their current record transfer outlay is £35 Million.
But they are hopeful of selling Mahmadou Sakho so that they can part fund Van Dijk’s purhase.
Sakho is not in Jurgen Klopp’s plan for next season despite his starring performances for Crystal Place since joining them in the January transfer window. The Frenchman has been very impressive at the London club, and several Liverpool’s fans want Klopp to give him a second chance, but the German seem to have already made up his mind on the defender.
Liverpool hope to sell Sakho for at least £30 Million, so that they can add £20 Million to secure a deal for Van Dijk.