According to various reports in the media Saints have put in an official bid for Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk.

Celtic must be fed up with getting phone calls from Southampton Football Club in the summer, last season we prised Fraser Forster from them and two years ago it was Victor Wanyama heading South of the border.

Now if press reports are to be believed it is Virgil Van Dijk who will be the next Celt to possibly be a Saint and allegedly SFC have lodged an £8 million pound offer for the central defender who was also a target last summer.

The Sun is saying that Koeman believes this to be a fair price rather than a low opening offer, but the reality is that Celtic will probably want nearer £10 million to do business.

It is being stated that Van Dijk cannot play for Saints in the Europa League if he signs as he has already represented Celtic in the Champions League, however Im not sure this is true.

UEFA Rule 41.07 states

41.07 As a rule, a player may not play in a UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions
League and UEFA Europa League, but not UEFA Super Cup) for more than one
club in the course of the same season. Exceptionally, however, a player who has
been fielded in the first, second, third qualifying round or the play-offs of the
UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League is entitled to play in the UEFA
Champions League or UEFA Europa League for another club as from the group
stage. Moreover, as from the start of the round of 32, a player can be registered in
accordance with Paragraph 43.01 to Paragraph 43.04. A substitute player who has
not been fielded is entitled to play for another club competing in the UEFA
Champions League or UEFA Europa League in the course of the same season,
provided that he is registered with the UEFA administration in accordance with
the present regulations.

This seems to suggest that Van Dijk could play for Saints if he were to sign before Celtic were to play any group stage matches, however if he were to sign tomorrow for instance he would not be able to play against Vitesse or in the play off games should we go though, it would only be the group stages he could be selected for.

This would be a good signing for Saints, the central defensive position is an area for concern at present and although short term the signing of Steven Caulker will help,long term it is not so solid in that Jose Fonte will turn 32 during the coming season and Caulker is only on a years loan, so the arrival of Van Dijk would be a good step in getting that permanency at the back we need.

Photo: Action Images

Zambucco added 12:10 - Aug 3 Also the reports suggesting that because Fonte has changed agents he will be looking for a better deal. So we know how that goes for greedy Saints players, adios Jose! VVD has been on my too signing list, he'll be immense
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IWOZTHERE added 12:28 - Aug 3 Good business to get Caulker in, but I hope if he proves himself, we're a 'bit quicker out of the blocks' than we were with T.A., to sign him permanently. Much the same with Van Dijk, Don't 'play games'. If we get him we're pretty much 'sorted' and we can look forward to putting a few arrogant noses out of joint!
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trampslykeus added 15:17 - Aug 3 I think something must be close. Why else would we let both Stephens and Turnbull go on loan for the season?
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Zambucco added 15:22 - Aug 3 trampslykeus, I did think we would get to see Stephens and Turnbull this season, but Ron has obviously thought they need more experience. Yet Jason McCarthy played yesterday?
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SaintBrock added 16:35 - Aug 3 Probably because Jason is rated more highly than the two sent out on loan by Ron. Matt looked the business last night did he not?
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aceofthebase added 17:03 - Aug 3 I thought that Jason looked at home and unflusterred. Caulker had a hesitant start but settled into a dominant defender, his heading will be real attribute. Little J... whatshis name no 20 will become stronger and more influential player as he settle in and finds his role Fonte was a general in charge of the team and has grown into the leading role. Top man and should be given top wages I like Pelle but we can play without him, not many top teams play with a giant centre forward. (ps I saw him run with the ball once! breathless afterwards tho'!) Van Dijk would make a vey competitive side and that is just to get into the team

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SaintBrock added 19:07 - Aug 3 Juanmi! Looks top class on last night's showing. If he does as well in the PL we may well have a star on our hands. With JWP in the form of his life and Harry shaping up nicely, SD may struggle to be automatic first pick despite his leadership and never-say-die qualities.
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IanRC added 20:54 - Aug 3 Thought the link up between Harrison Reed and JWP was very encouraging in a display that was pretty drab otherwise. Presumably the benefit of coming through the youth teams together. Looks very promising in midfield if Clasie settles in well.
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VancouverSaint added 00:59 - Aug 4 We need Van Dijk and Charlie Austin to both sign. Probably £10m each. That should see us off to a good start. All the pundits figure that we will not improve on last season. I think that this season will be better because of our depth this year. Our defence may not be quite as strong but we will score more goals this year. Sign these two and we are set.
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SaintBrock added 17:48 - Aug 4 Where's the news about whether our alleged bid was actually accepted, rejected or bullshine?
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