Liverpool have ended their interest in Virgil van Dijk amid Southampton’s claims of an illegal approach.
Van Dijk was on the verge of a move to Anfield after indicating that the Reds were his preferred destination this summer over Manchester City and Chelsea.
But the Holland international’s preference angered the Saints, who reported Liverpool to the Premier League over allegations of ‘tapping up’ the player.
Jurgen Klopp had been willing to make Van Dijk the most expensive defender in world football by meeting the South Coast club’s valuatation of £50 million.
However Liverpool have now publicly discontinued their pursuit of the 25-year-old and and issued an apology to Southampton over their handling of the saga.
“Liverpool Football Club would like to put on record our regret over recent media speculation regarding Southampton Football Club and player transfers between the two clubs,” read a club statement.
“We apologise to the owner, board of directors and fans of Southampton for any misunderstanding regarding Virgil van Dijk.
“We respect Southampton’s position and can confirm we have ended any interest in the player.”
The move represents an embarrassing climbdown for the Anfield club, who were in a similar position in 2012 over their attempts to sign Clint Dempsey.
Fulham received an apology from Liverpool chairman Tom Werner after accusations that the forward, who went on to join Tottenham, had also been ‘tapped up’.