Virgil van Dijk hints at winter Southampton exit

Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk has hinted that he could pursue a fresh challenge away from St.Mary's in the New Year after his failed move to Liverpool in the summer.

Jurgen Klopp's side were on the front foot to sign the Dutch footballer during the summer transfer window, but the deal could not materialise due to an alleged illegal approach, for which they offered a formal apology.

Van Dijk has since returned to the Saints squad to make his first league start in the 2-1 defeat to Stoke City, but the Dutchman is still keeping his options open for the next transfer window.

"I'm glad I'm fit again and I can give up 100 percent. I'm not sorry for anything. Of course, I wanted to make a step up, but Southampton did not want me to sell me, but you're a professional, so now I'll give everything to the club. Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what's possible," he told Fox Sports in the Netherlands.

Van Dijk is currently contracted to Southampton until the summer of 2022, and this put the Saints in a strong position to demand a hefty package for his sale in the future.

The 26-year-old has been called up by the Netherlands for the World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Sweden, and it will be interesting to see whether Dick Advocaat plays him ahead of Wesley Hoedt and Stefan de Vrij, who are currently the first-choice centre-backs.