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Barcelona join the race for top Liverpool target

By Rucker Haringey

BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group D match against Juventus, on September 11, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Ernesto Valverde of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group D match against Juventus, on September 11, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona want to sign Virgil van Dijk

Jurgen Klopp’s quest to solidify the Liverpool defense is about to take an unfortunate turn for the Reds. Their quest to sign Southampton centre back Virgil van Dijk has been complicated by Barcelona’ interest in the Dutch defender.

Reports from England claim the Catalan giants dispatched scouts to see van Dijk play in his nation’s recent competition against Sweden. Now, Ernesto Valverde and company are contemplating making a serious bid for the Saints defender. It’s believed that Southampton will hold out for a transfer fee of at least £50 million for their dominant centre back.

Valverde and company are eyeing van Dijk as a possible successor for Javier Mascherano. The stately Argentine defender has enjoyed a terrific career at Barcelona, but he is 33-years-old. Logic tells you that he can’t remain in the club’s starting XI forever. Barcelona would be wise to secure his replacement sooner rather than later.

It’s not as if Liverpool’s need for a central defender isn’t just as acute. Klopp’s attack has generally lit up Premier League opponents, but his defence has leaked goals against mediocre opponents. Acquiring a dominant central defender could be precisely the right cure for what ails Klopp’s back line. Purchasing an established Premier League star like van Dijk does seem to be the perfect solution for the German gaffer.

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As you might imagine, significant interest from the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona put the higher-ups at Southampton in a pretty enviable position. They don’t want to lose van Dijk’s services, but they do understand that every player has their price. The involvement of the La Liga giants in this transfer race will certainly increase their asking price for van Dijk.

Even so, I wouldn’t rule Liverpool out in this transfer race. The powers that be at Anfield are desperate to give Klopp the players he needs to mount a credible challenge for a Premier League title. If they truly believe van Dijk is the club’s missing link, they could match Barcelona dollar for dollar in terms of the transfer bid and his potential wage packet.

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At the very least, Barcelona are going to make Virgil van Dijk a more expensive purchase for Liverpool. At the most, the talented defender could snub the Reds for a big money move to Barcelona.

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