Mauricio Pellegrino quiet on van Dijk’s potential transfer

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino was coy about speculation linking defender Virgil van Dijk with a move away from the club in January.

The Liverpool Echo reports that the Saints manager was not willing to give too much away about the immediate future of the Dutchman.

Van Dijk returned to the Saints team in September and has just about been doing enough to please the club’s supporters.

However, he was dropped to the bench for the visit to Chelsea yesterday as rumours about his future at the club continue to emerge.

Liverpool were linked with a move for the defender in the summer but the Saints accused the Reds of ‘tapping up’ the player and a deal never materialised.

Saints boss Pellegrino spoke about the situation following yesterdays game at Stamford Bridge.

I can’t control the market, I am not the owner. I have my opinion, I have to give to the technical director and the chairman my opinion, but the club will decide what’s best.

I can’t control the market, and I am not the owner of the players, I will recommend to keep our best player here, in the club.

Pellegrino also spoke about picking players who will give everything for the cause in the upcoming games.

We have to choose the players who want to help the club 100 per cent. Also the market offers not much but we will be ready.”