Virgil van Dijk nearing an exit from Southampton

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk currently training with himself and being left out of the pre-season squad, his exit from St Mary’s seems inevitable this summer.

It’s a horrible way to end his two years with the South Coast club, but the reported £50m Southampton could make from his sale will provide some solace.

Where could van Dijk end up?

Liverpool are the favourites to sign Virgil van Dijk this summer, having long shown an interest in the Dutchman. The Reds were forced to make a public apology, however, for an illegal approach for van Dijk which stalled the deal for many weeks. They are frontrunners for his signature but aren’t the only Premier League side interested.

Manchester City are desperate to bolster their backline ahead of the new season. Manager Pep Guardiola has signed Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy at left-back and Tottenham’s Kyle Walker at right-back, but the Sky Blues haven’t strengthened their centre-backs. John Stones lost his place in the side due to poor form but City don’t have a better option in his absence.