Having lost Alderweireld to Spurs Saints are about to again chase a player they were linked with last summer.

Saints are about to make a bid for Celtic central defender Virgil Van Dijk as they look to fill the hole left by Toby Alderweireld's departure.

Van Dijk was a target last summer but for several reasons ended up staying at Celtic, however Saints have continued to monitor the situation and are now set to retune and this time make him a Southampton player.

Saints have signed a player from the Glasgow club in ache of the last two summers and they will not be worried whether Van Dijk can make the big jump in standards between the Scottish and English Premier leagues.

The Ronald Koeman factor will be big in this transfer and could swing it between not only Van Dijk staying or going from Celtic, but it could be crucial in fending off other interested parties.

Certainly Van Dijk is a typical Koeman type of player and would fit into the Celtic side, he is a big and commanding player and like Alderweireld is able to bring the ball out of defence, he would look a good pairing with José Fonte.

Signing a strong central defender I clearly the crucial position this summer and we need to get it right.

Photo: Action Images

Chris_Pattison added 08:29 - Jul 13 You are getting a gem here! He carried us all season, even contributing some goals when we needed them, and just looked a cut above the rest!I like what your team have been doing the last few years and wish you the best for this campaign.
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Zambucco added 08:44 - Jul 13 Massive massive massive signing, as above a real gem, will outshine both Lovren and Alderweireld. This will hopefully shut up all the doom mongers. Nick your articles keep me going mate, but please turn off your auto correct, or maybe get someone to proof read before publishing. Yes nit picking, but I'm old school, I even punctuate text messages.
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IWOZTHERE added 08:53 - Jul 13 Joy at last if this and the Clasie news works out! They've seemed to be prime targets from Day one.Just puzzled why no-one else has been in for them seriously.(Please No..........) Didn't Celtic state originally that they wouldn't allow Van Dijk to move until their European campaign was over? Anyway, fingers crossed...
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SaintBrock added 09:09 - Jul 13 Celtic becoming our feeder club? Maybe an Alderweireld, maybe a Jos the Boss? One good thing is that we don't need to try and guess-spell that Belgian blokes surname any longer!
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aceofthebase added 11:02 - Jul 13 So is it Dick Or Dyke?
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aceofthebase added 11:28 - Jul 13 A Van Dyck painting is worth about 4- 12 million. Is this what we are getting?
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SanMarco added 11:35 - Jul 13 Music (Mozart) and now art quips - how cultured we are - can I throw in a Mary Poppins reference to lower the tone?
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SaintBrock added 12:47 - Jul 13 I guess you all know what happened to van Dyck's boss?
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lemmsy added 12:51 - Jul 13 Just trust in Ron & the system , We found Toby last year when very few knew of him . Of course he's a top player & it would have been good if he's stayed but that's the nature of football now. Remember where we were 6 years ago !!
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lemmsy added 12:51 - Jul 13 Just trust in Ron & the system , We found Toby last year when very few knew of him . Of course he's a top player & it would have been good if he's stayed but that's the nature of football now. Remember where we were 6 years ago !!
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Blue added 15:47 - Jul 13 Celtic needing to find two new CB's now then, as we have welcomed Denayer back to the Etihad. Mind you, they could probably play with 9 on the pitch in that league and still win it !
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palmsaint added 17:52 - Jul 13 ? Would fit into the Celtic side He is lol ..... would fit into the southampton side big yes
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palmsaint added 17:57 - Jul 13 Aha just reread it koeman would have fit in Celtic side never coment on 5 beers lol
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ElSanto added 18:21 - Jul 13 Up a celts!!! They are big team in a small division. Wonderful history. Hopefully we can emulate some of their successes someday.
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