Celtic’s Assistant Head Scout has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk will probably leave the Glasgow-based club shortly.
It is understood across various media outlets that Southampton are the favourites to land the player.
The defender has been on the Saints’ wish-list this summer with Ronald Koeman looking to compliment his current options at centre-half.
David Moss, the Assistant-Head of first-team scouting, at Parkhead was talking to visionarysportsinvestment.com, on his business model for the Hoops who face financial challenges with a lack of TV market.
Moss said: “It is very difficult recruiting the right players for Celtic for the following reasons. Premier League clubs receive £80-£100million each year from SKY/BT in comparison to the approximate £2.5m Celtic receive.
“We therefore cannot compete for players in the Premier League and even most Championship clubs. We operate in a high-risk market as we need to identify young and unproven players.
“In recent seasons we have done well working to this strategy with Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper selling for £10m, £12m and £6m respectively. Virgil van Dijk will also probably be sold for in excess of these figures in the coming weeks.
“In general, we are targeting players valued under £2.5m. But we are still seeking players who can compete in Champions League games and have the potential to be sold to the Premier League or other top European teams within two years.”
