There are some things that a professional club that has been in the business of signing top players for a very long time should not go into.
When they do, you would request for a psychological evaluation of the technical crew and anybody involved in the act. For a club with a management and backroom staff that negotiated and brought players like Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and even Coutinho, this mud fight that is going on in the case of Virgil van Dijk shouldn’t happen. A few months back, Liverpool as a club had to make a public apology to Southampton football club because of some perceived improper conduct about attempting to sign Virgil van Dijk.
At this time in footballing evolution where every rule is made clear and conditions spelt out, Liverpool football club had to go to a player through the back. For all that it is worth; a player in the caliber of Virgil van Dijk should be very pleased that Liverpool is actually discussing his transfer. Southampton as a club should also be happy that Liverpool is interested in their man. So, what is this hullabaloo about discussing the transfer with a player without the permission of his current team, and sending him video clips of how he will fit into the squad even when the pursuit was not yet official?
That the club made the blunder public is another thing of concern. They were the ones that took to the mainstream media to offer a briefing that the club has actually won the race to bring the player to Anfield. They considered it a trophy in a battle that involved Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, even when the other trio has not even had an article written about their pursuit of the player. Imagine that?
The speculation is that the Kops are hoping to get the player to start causing problems about his desire to leave, so they can pounce on that. And just like gambling on Australian pokie machines, he started doing that. They told him that the deal to bring him to Anfield will be more lucrative than what others can offer as if they can stand clubs like Chelsea in doling out the money.
But Southampton actually capitalised on that. They know all the antics of Liverpool and their desire to get the player to cause problems so that he could be sold at a mere 50 million euros. Because of that, they said they will not sell to Liverpool at the moment. But they were also quick to point out that every player has a price tag, and that if Liverpool can come up with 100 million euros, consideration may start.
This is like the reds stabbing themselves on the back. They have just succeeded in doubling the asking price.
However, that news is not dying down any soon. A few days back, a former football lawyer posited in his twitter handle that “Colossal” Virgil van Dijk still destined for Liverpool move”. he also went ahead to say that he has been told that the negotiations are now going on the normal way, and that there are no indications the player handed in a request.
The sports lover who also participated in the signing of Benteke, posited at the end that he is aware he is not supposed to talk about this, and took down the account later.
If this is what Liverpool’s signing of players has been reduced to, then it is quite unfortunate.