Southampton will stand firm over their valuation of Virgil Van Dijk.

The Saints know that their star defender is a man in demand, and had allowed him to talk with suitors earlier this summer – at which point I understand Chelsea was his first option ahead of Manchester City.

However, recent weeks have seen Liverpool emerge as contenders, but unlike Chelsea and City – they went direct to the player and his representatives, a move which Southampton were angered by and saw them threaten legal action.

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Liverpool have since issued an apology and makes their pursuit of the player somewhat difficult.

I have been told that Southampton want in excess of £70million for Van Dijk, a price which is not beyond Chelsea or City, but it remains to be seen if either will pay that.

City have made it clear they value him at little more than £50million – but Chelsea could get closer, with the possibility of a player going in the opposite direction with The Saints having an interest in both Nathan Ake and Andreas Christensen.

The betting market has been turned on its head with the news that Liverpool had to back away,  some Bookmakers had closed their books on van Dijk going to Liverpool – but that is not the case.

We spoke to SkyBet’s Dale Tempest about Van Dijk, and he believes his move could impact on the title market.

“Van Dijk feels like the Kante of last season. Highly regarded but still not understood just how good he is. I really believe whoever gets VVD will shorten for the title off the back of his signing,” he told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“However, Southampton know their man is going to be come the most expensive defender in world football and Liverpool look like they have folded in their poker game of signing him.”

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