Van Dijk "not for sale", says Saints' chief

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger has reiterated that Dutch international defender Virgil van Dijk is "not for sale in this window".

Van Dijk has requested a move away from St Mary's, and is training separately from his Saints' team-mates, but Krueger says selling the 26-year-old centre-back would send the wrong message to Southampton's Premier League rivals.

Southampton asked the Premier League to investigate an alleged illegal approach to van Dijk from Liverpool in June, while reigning champions Chelsea are also interested in the former Celtic defender.

"Virgil is not for sale in this window and it's not personal," Krueger said. 

"It's not about him, it's about an overall much, much, much bigger picture - a change of course for Southampton.

"The first summer I was here five players went out and six went in, not counting academy. Second summer three went out, seven came in, and third summer five went out, five came in.

"Now it is one out and two in, and this is who we want to become. 

"We want to mature, we want to be a team that can profit from synergies that create a much more attractive football and a better product for the fans, and gives us a chance to get back into Europe."

Southampton have signed midfielder Mario Lemina from Juventus and defender Jan Bednarek from Lech Poznan this summer, and Krueger hinted the club may also make a move for Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt before the transfer window closes on 31 August.

"We're definitely not done," Krueger continued. 

"We're looking at options but again we're not in a position to just bring in anybody.

"It would have to be a player that would fit and tick all the boxes of our needs, not only short-term but long-term.

"Football is still active, the black box is buzzing."

Image: Getty Images/ Julian Finney

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