He was too expensive for Brighton. He was €3million at that time
Guy Poyet on Virgil van Dijk
But as Gus Poyet has revealed, Van Dijk could have ended up in the English Championship instead of joining Celtic several years ago.
Poyet, the then Brighton manager, wanted to sign the centre-back after going to watch him play for Groningen.
However, he says the fee was too much for the Seagulls who had just got promoted to the second tier.
“I went to see Van Dijk at Groningen when I was coach at Brighton,” Poyet told talkSPORT.
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Poyet says Brighton did not have enough money to sign Virgil van Dijk (Image: TALKSPORT)
“We went all the way up to Groningen to watch the game, and it was too easy for him.
“He was already incredible, maybe too easy.
“After ten minutes you could see that he was bigger than everyone, more powerful than everyone and so calm on the ball.
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Virgil van Dijk has had a fine first full season at Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
“We watched the whole game and afterwards we talked to the chairman and we started getting in contact with the club and the agents.
“But he was too expensive for Brighton. He was €3million at that time.
“Brighton had just come into the Championship, although a year later we spent €3m on a striker, Leonardo Ulloa, but for a defender at that time it was impossible.”