Southampton place £70m price tag on ex-Liverpool target

Southampton have placed a £70m price tag on the head of Virgil van Dijk as they look to ward off any impending interest during the summer transfer window.

The Netherlands international had a top season with the Saints during the previous campaign until he sustained an ankle injury in January which restricted his participation.

Liverpool have prised away key players from the south Coast club in recent times, but they are unlikely to lodge a bid for Van Dijk this summer after the Saints lodge a formal complaint against the Reds for tapping up the Dutch footballer.

As a result, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have been brought back onto the focus with the defender seemingly unsettled after the transfer setback.

According to The Telegraph, the Saints are confident of keeping hold of Van Dijk for the upcoming season after having placed a hefty £70m asking price on his signature.

David Luiz remains the world's most defender following his £50m to Paris Saint-Germain back in 2014, and Van Dijk's suitors will have to break this record by a considerable margin in order to lure the former Celtic man.