Liverpool are ready to smash their transfer record to sign Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are so determined to snap Van Dijk up that they are willing to match Southampton’s £50m valuation.

Van Dijk signed a new six-year contract with the Saints last summer and was made team captain in January, which leaves Southampton in a great position to command as big a fee as possible.

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It would also break Southampton’s transfer record for the most received for a player. The current holder is Sadio Mane, who also joined Liverpool. He left for a reported £34m.

Liverpool are currently third in the Premier League, which means they could have Champions League football to tempt Van Dijk with.

Manchester City and Chelsea are also thought to be interested, but it is not yet known as to whether they are willing to match the £50m fee.