Liverpool Agrees World Record Deal For Van Dijk

Liverpool has agreed a £75 million fee for Virgil van Dijk – a world record price for a defender – according to reports in the British press.

The Reds courted Van Dijk last summer but failed to persuade Southampton to part with the centre-half, and were forced into a public apology in June.

But they have, according to Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph, ‘won the race’ for the Dutchman’s signature.

Liverpool and Southampton ‘have been in discreet negotiations’ for a number of days, and have finally reached an agreement over the fee.

Van Dijk is likely to jump at the chance to swap the Southampton bench for the Anfield first team.

Manchester City and Chelsea remain interested in the 26-year-old, and could yet table a bid of their own.

But Liverpool are pressing ahead with negotiations and an offer of a £180,000-a-week wage is described as a ‘formality’.The £75 million fee would be a world record for a defender.

The most expensive defender in world history is currently £52 million Benjamin Mendy.