Transfer rumor roundup 6/6: Virgil van Dijk prefers Liverpool move
By Nick Pitner
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Tuesday’s biggest transfer news surrounds Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, who ESPN reports has indicated that Liverpool is his preferred destination this summer.
That development comes after the Dutchman was strongly linked to Manchester City recently, but with the Citizens reportedly balking at the Saints’ £60 million asking price, Liverpool have moved into the pole position for his signature.
Although van Dijk only signed a six-year extension at the St. Mary’s Stadium last May, Liverpool’s defensive needs have convinced manager Jurgen Klopp a hefty investment is needed to reinforce his back-line, and van Dijk is now ready for a move to a Champions League club.
Should the Reds indeed shell out the figures mentioned for van Dijk’s services, it would shatter their current transfer record of £35 million paid for Andy Carroll in 2011.
In light of van Dijk’s reported preference for Liverpool, however, Southampton have responded by asking the Premier League to investigate the Reds over a potentially illegal approach for the player.
According to ESPN, Southampton have yet to be contacted by Liverpool regarding a deal, thus raising their suspicion of the Reds tampering with their prized center-back.
Meanwhile, back in Klopp’s home country, RB Leipzig are close to signing Galatasaray forward Bruma, Goal reports.
Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that Bruma flew to Germany with him for a tour of the club’s facilities and to iron out the details of his contract. According to Rangnick, a deal could be completed by Wednesday or Thursday.
Thought to cost around €15 million, the 22-year-old is fresh off scoring 11 goals and six assists in the Super Lig this past season.
Impressively, he also only trailed Wesley Sneijder for his team lead with 63 chances created, and comfortably led Turkey with 131 completed take-ons this term, per Squawka.
Another young attacker set to make a Bundesliga switch is Freiburg’s Maximilian Philipp.
According to Kicker, Borussia Dortmund have edged out RB Leipzig for Philipp, who missed training with the Germany U-21 team Monday to finalize his transfer.
After star Marco Reus was ruled out for several months with a knee injury, Dortmund intensified their pursuit of Philipp, and the player could become the club’s first confirmed transfer under new manager Peter Bosz, who was formally announced Tuesday.
Next: Transfer rumors: Barcelona pursuing Angel Di Maria
In 23 starts for a promoted Bundesliga side this past season, the 23-year-old Philipp compiled nine goals and two assists, helping Freiburg to an improbable seventh-place finish in their first year up since 2014.
A player that could be joining Philipp in Dortmund is the mercurial Mario Balotelli.
According to Bild, super-agent Mino Raiola was at the club’s facility on Tuesday, and when asked the reason for his visit, he replied, “Mario Balotelli will play for Dortmund.”
The 26-year-old Italian is available for a free transfer this summer after notching a personal-high 15 league goals for French outfit Nice.
One of Balotelli’s more prominent teammates at Nice was midfielder Jean Michael Seri, who has been the subject of plenty transfer news already this offseason.
With Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain known to be interested in the Ivorian, The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has revealed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was in town to hold talks with Seri’s agent last week.
That came after Roma reportedly had a bid rejected for Seri, who registered seven goals and nine assists while attempting the sixth-most passes per game in Europe’s top five leagues this past season, per WhoScored.
According to the report, Nice are holding out for €40 million to sell Seri.