Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Virgil van Dijk, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Rumours

Liverpool are still in the hunt for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk despite having previously declared they had ended their interest in the player.

That's according to Simon Jones of MailOnline, who adds that Chelsea are also interested in the Dutchman and ready to make a £60 million offer. The defender is said to still be keen on making the move to Anfield, though.

As noted in the report, Liverpool angered Southampton earlier in the summer with the manner in which they courted the 25-year-old, with manager Jurgen Klopp said to have met Van Dijk in Blackpool for discussions. 

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"It prompted a warning from the Premier League and an unprecedented apology from the Anfield club who said their interest in the player had ended," Jones added.

Still, it seems the Reds have yet to completely give up hope of signing the Saints star, who would be a tremendous purchase. Per Squawka Football, he's the kind of dominant presence Liverpool have been crying out for at the back:

Van Dijk would make a massive difference to the Reds. Not only is he a boss in the air, he sees danger quickly, times tackles well and can distribute with precision. His dynamism would also suit a side who seek to press high up the pitch.

Southampton would surely be hesitant to do any deal with Liverpool based on their previous anger, though, and that would potentially make Chelsea the favourites to sign the defender.

Sachin Nakrani of the Guardian is hopeful Saints' new appointment as manager may help the Merseyside outfit:

Strengthening Liverpool's defensive line has to be Klopp's main priority this summer, and he'll be keen to get a new centre-back embedded into the squad as soon as possible. However, based on the angst between the two teams, you sense any potential transfer will be far from straightforward.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Rumours

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According to John Richardson of the Sunday Mirror, Klopp is ready to make Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Liverpool's second summer signing.

After completing the capture of Mohamed Salah earlier in the week, the German has reportedly given the go-ahead to spend a further £30 million on Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is said to have grown frustrated at the Emirates Stadium with one year left on his contract.

"Klopp is looking to inject his side with pace, having already signed flying machine Salah in addition to already having the lightning-fast Sadio Mane in his ranks," Richardson wrote.

Although he was in and out of the Arsenal team last term, Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoyed one of his most productive seasons overall, per WhoScored.com:

Still, journalist Ste Hoare isn't totally convinced the England international would be a decent capture for the Reds:

The 23-year-old would benefit from a transfer at this point in his career. At Arsenal, injuries have hampered his progress, and he's been unable to nail down a regular spot in the side. Indeed, it's still tough to determine what position brings the best out of the former Southampton man.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's pace, power and versatility will appeal to Klopp, who will feel as though he could harness those qualities effectively. But with Salah, Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino in the squad, finding regular minutes would be just as difficult at Anfield as it would be at the Emirates Stadium.