Southampton have told Virgil Van Dijk that their stance on him remains unchanged and they have no plans to let him leave in January.

Liverpool remain keen on the Dutch stopper, who they tried to land in the summer – but that left Southampton furious and they threatened to report them for tapping up.

Liverpool backed off but their interest remains, whilst Chelsea and Manchester City also still have an interest.

Football INDEX Watch – VIRGIL VAN DIJK – One of the best defenders on the INDEX, and under £2

Van Dijk himself has told Southampton he won’t push for a move in the summer.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment on anything that happened before,” said Van Dijk. “I’m giving 100 per cent for the club, I work hard every day, I help my team-mates and I’m positive and I want to win every game.

Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino is understood to be open to the idea of Van Dijk leaving, but I understand the Saints hierarchy do not agree and have no intention of letting him leave.

“I don’t know [if Van Dijk will still be at the club in January]. I can’t control the market,” said Pellegrino.

“You never know, because when we talk about money everybody has got a price. We have got a lot of good players and most of the teams want to sign them.”

Bookmakers believe that Liverpool still have a very good chance of landing him, and PaddyPower make them 11/10 to sign him when he does leave St Mary’s and he is 6/5 to sign in the next transfer window.