Transfer news: Van Dijk hands in transfer request, wants to leave Southampton

In a sensational turn of events, Van Dijk hands in transfer request after he says he felt insulted by suggestion that he refused to train.

Van Dijk
Southampton's Virgil van Dijk Reuters

Southampton's Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk has handed in a transfer request, trying to force his way out of Southampton.

As reported by The Guardian UK, Van Dijk said he handed in the request after claiming Southampton were about to fine him two weeks wages.

The centre-half, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, says he is "insulted" by suggestions he has refused to train.

"As a proud professional I am insulted by the suggestion that it was me who refused to train and so feel it is important to point out the true version of events.", Van Dijk said

Liverpool had initially been willing to pay around £60m to win the race for Van Dijk and the £200,000-a-week contract offer had made Anfield his preferred destination.

However, the Anfield club said they ended their interest in June after Saints said they were going to report them to the Premier League for making an alleged illegal approach.

Liverpool were then forced into an apology and, in a bid to defuse the situation, promised they would back away from the former Celtic player.

Saints manager Mauricio Pellegrino had since revealed Van Dijk had been training alone and was not in the right frame of mind to play for Southampton, as had been earlier reported by The Guardian UK.

In his statement, the player said that he wanted his current club to consider the interest shown in him by top clubs, adding that he had been left frustrated by Southampton's position and that enquiries from top clubs had been consistently rebuffed.

"I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer.

He went on to say that he did not find himself in a "settled mindset" given the circumstances after being asked about his frame of mind.

"I can confirm that I was asked about my frame of mind and for all of the reasons mentioned above I was open and honest in saying that I did not feel I was in a settled mindset given the circumstances.", Van Dijk said.

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