Liverpool Evens to smash transfer record for Southampton star

Liverpool turned heads in 2011 when they splashed out £35m to make Andy Carroll their most expensive signing of all time. But the Reds are now just even-money to smash that record with the acquisition of Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk.

The centre-back had been imperious for the Saints until his January injury – netting four times and helping them to 10 clean sheets in 22 domestic outings.

And it’s no coincidence they’ve lost more than half of their games in his absence. But with the Dutchman unlikely to feature again this season – our traders reckon we’ve probably seen the last of him at St Mary’s.

It’s 6/4 for Liverpool to snap up the 25-year-old as early as this summer, while Manchester City are second in the betting at 5/1.

Antonio Conte is 11/2 to recruit the former Celtic defender in the coming months, with club legend John Terry heading for the exit.

Meanwhile, Man United (6/1) and Arsenal (8/1) are also outsiders for to secure his signature in the coming transfer window.

However, those odds could well shift depending on whether or not Liverpool secure Champions League football next season.

They can take a step towards that – and luring Van Dijk to Merseyside – by securing a win at Watford (4/7) on Monday night.

Ladbrokes Latest Betting:

Virgil Van Dijk – Club after Summer 2017 transfer window

Liverpool – 6/4

Man City – 5/1

Chelsea – 11/2

Man United – 6/1

Arsenal – 8/1

Tottenham – 10/1

Everton – 14/1

West Ham – 20/1

Virgil Van Dijk to become Liverpool’s record club signing – Evens

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing