Liverpool odds-on for Van Dijk, Chelsea 7/4 for Southampton man

The Virgil van Dijk saga might finally be nearing an end, after the Dutchman handed Southampton a written transfer request last night.

The centre-half has been courted by a number of clubs throughout the summer, with Liverpool the player’s preferred destination.

But Southampton have refused to let him go so far, while the Anfield outfit were forced to publicly withdraw their interest earlier this year amid allegations of tapping up the Dutch international.

Despite that, Jurgen Klopp’s men are still odds-on favourites at 1/2 to sign the 26-year-old before the window shuts.

Liverpool have a fight on their hands though, with Chelsea also believed to still be in the mix.

Our traders certainly think so, with 7/4 the price on offer for Van Dijk to join the reigning Premier League champions.

Southampton are 9/2 to keep hold of their star defender.

According to the odds, it’s a two-horse race for Van Dijk’s services, with Barcelona best of the rest at 12/1.

Arsenal and Everton (each 14/1) round out the Premier League interest, with Juventus the outsiders at 20/1.

Van Dijk joined Southampton from Celtic in 2015 for around £13m, but the Saints are poised to make a substantial windfall should he move on, with any fee expected to reach between £50m-60m.

Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson has been touted as a potential replacement for the Saints.

Ladbrokes Latest Betting:

Virgil van Dijk club after summer window

Liverpool – 1/2

Chelsea – 7/4

Southampton – 9/2

Barcelona – 12/1

Arsenal – 14/1

Everton – 14/1

Juventus – 20/1

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing