Liverpool Transfer News: Virgil van Dijk Wants Reds Move in Latest Rumours

Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk has reportedly made it clear he wants to join Liverpool this summer.

According to Andy Hunter of the Guardian, the Dutchman is ready to reject offers from Manchester City and Chelsea to make the move to Anfield.

"Liverpool have yet to agree a fee with Southampton for Van Dijk but are willing to meet an asking price that could reach £60 million for their main transfer target," Hunter reported. "They are also prepared to match City's offer of a contract worth around £200,000 per week."

The aforementioned fee would see the Reds break the world record for a defender, with David Luiz's move from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain in 2014 for £50 million the benchmark.

As noted below, earlier in the day, bookmakers had suspended any bets on the former Celtic man moving to Anfield:

Getting Van Dijk on board would be a major coup for Liverpool, who will play in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers next season after finishing in fourth in the Premier League.

One of the main areas of concern in the Reds setup last season was their defensive structure, with Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan unconvincing in front of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Van Dijk would help stiffen up this area of the team should he arrive at Anfield.

While an injury in January brought a premature end to the 25-year-old's season, the defender has established himself as one of the strongest centre-backs in the Premier League. WhoScored.com doesn't see any real weaknesses in his game:

As you'd expect for a world-record fee, the Reds would be getting a thoroughbred defender in Van Dijk.

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The Saints man is physical in his battles, dominant in the air and a tremendous reader of the game. Additionally, Van Dijk has the composure a modern centre-back requires, able to intercept opposition attacks, carry the ball out from the back and ping passes forward to get attacks going.

According to Phil McNulty of BBC Sport, the Reds are also in talks with Mohamed Salah of AS Roma. As Alex Shaw of ESPN noted, it means Liverpool are set to spend big money this summer:

Aside from seeing Van Dijk don the all-red strip, what should also excite Liverpool supporters is the fact they are edging out the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for a player. It's testament to the fine work being done by the manager.

For a long time under Jurgen Klopp, and before him Brendan Rodgers, defensive problems have hampered the Reds in their attempts to kick on. With Van Dijk at the back to offset the wonderful attacking flair the team showcased last term, Liverpool are likely to be a major threat at the summit of the Premier League in 2017-18.