Liverpool: Dijk contract 'could be in the pipeline' says expert
Manchester City discreetly discussed the prospect of signing Virgil van Dijk before he moved to Liverpool. During his Celtic days, the Dutchman was attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs, before he eventually joined Southampton in 2015.
Former Celtic boss Ronny Deila has now revealed that he tried to convince City to sign his player Van Dijk, who was the biggest talent in Scotland at the time.
He told The Sun: “Did I get in touch with City? Yes. I said you have to take him. They said, ‘okay, tell me the best European game he has played and we will watch it.”
“I couldn’t tell them what game that was because he hadn’t any real good European games. He was really dominant in Scotland but he got sent off against Inter away”
“That was a big test. I think if he had played fantastically in that game, he would have been bought. I think the big clubs think Scottish football is too low level and they don’t want to take a chance on a player for that kind of money.”
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Liverpool had money to spend following the sale of Philippe Coutinho, in a deal worth up to £142m.
Chelsea were also said to be interested in Van Dijk, and the 28-year-old has since revealed the reasons behind his decision to choose Anfield.
“Before I made the decision to choose Liverpool, I looked at all the aspects of the clubs; the way of playing, the team-mates, the future as well,” said Van Dijk.
“The city, the fans everything has got to be big part of joining a club.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk chose the Reds over Man City and Chelsea (Image: GETTY)
“I think Liverpool at that time when I made the decision was the right decision and obviously to reach the Champions League final in my first six months was obviously a big bonus.”
It's been an unforgettable start to life on Merseyside for Van Dijk, in what has been a memorable two years at Liverpool.
In his first four months at the club, Liverpool reached the Champions League final where they were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid.
A year later the Reds would go one better though, winning their sixth European Cup in Madrid.
He was also named PFA Player of the Year as Liverpool missed out on the title to Manchester City by a single point.