Liverpool are ready to set a new club transfer record for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, according to a report from James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo,
Liverpool’s current record transfer record was set in January 2011 when the Reds infamously signed English striker Andy Carroll from Newcastle for £35 million, but the club are looking to blow that record out of the water with a £50 million bid for the 25-year-old defender.
The Merseyside club could definitely have used with defensive reinforcements this season as their centre-backs have missed several games this season due to injury, forcing them at times to play Lucas out of position at centre-back.
However, their issues at the back do not end with injuries as they have dropped many points to teams in the bottom-half of the table due to conceding soft goals, such as the two they conceded at the weekend in their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.
The Southampton skipper would certainly provide the leadership and bite at the back that the Reds have been lacking since the days of Jamie Carragher and Javier Mascherano.
The Dutchman would also be a near-instant solution to Liverpool’s inability to defend set pieces, a problem that continues to plague the Merseysiders year after year, as he has won more aerial duels per game than any other defender in the Premier League this season, per WhoScored.
Liverpool will not be the only club out to break the bank for the Dutch international as Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, and potentially even Real Madrid are rumored to be in the race for his signature.
The Reds are determined to not let money be an issue in signing the former Celtic defender as they are reportedly ready to offer a contract to him that will make him one of the highest earners at Anfield.
However, Van Dijk has been said to be eager to play Champions League football next season, so the Reds must secure a spot in the top four this season if they want any hope of signing the defensive stalwart.
