The Virgil Van Dijk Stays at Southampton Thread

It will be a disgrace if they don't pursue it. Liverpopol have basically admitted their guilt here. Surely there has to be punishment?

 

The Premier league love Liverpool, they will most likely get away with it. Or give them a ban in January...

 

I've no doubt that they've sailed very close to the wind with all the previous transfers.
I think the fact that the clubs haven't spoken and other clubs are interested in Virgil has meant Liverpool have blatantly overstepped the line as they knew they wouldn't be able to outbid the other parties.

I'm pleased to read one or two comments from Liverpool fans who are ashamed at how Liverpool conduct their transfer business through the media.
I hope that this whole episode at least sees them conduct their business a little more professionally from now on.

 

This was already posted but perfect. The rest of the Premier League reacting to LFC apology

They've systematically gone about dismantling our teams for three years and tapping up is the only explanation for the way our happy players have done total u-turns and handed in transfer requests. They can now **** right off and I couldn't be happier. I'd like to see this pursued as vigorously as possible and right to the bitter end just so any other club that thinks they can waltz in and approach players has to think long and hard about it. I would like to see a total ban on all sales to Liverpool to stem the tide. There are so many ex Saints there now that its like the sunny costa del sol up there - just like home but the weathers loads better. And our player turnover has been so great that we need to rebuild a culture and team spirit which we cant do with the pull of Liverhampton looming.

Well done to the club and the board.

 

Carragher's tweet is a sad indictment of either LFC's methods, the transfer process as a whole, or both.

He is essentially saying "And we would've got away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids". This demonstrates an insider's understanding of transfer methods - release glowing praise of number one target, groom target, approach parent club only after a deal is agreed. All totally outside of the rules.

Let's hope that they get the same three point deduction as Chelsea got in 2005 and lose their CL spot as a result.

 

That twat on Talkshite, does my head in. (Pompey Quinn)."I feel sorry for the player ". I don't as I think he's been pretty disrespectful to our club in more than one way. Bet clubs like Stoke , wba and many more are right behind Saints.

 

I'd found most of the transfer stuff amusing as well as annoying over the last few years, mainly 'cos they seemed a bit rubbish at it and up until the Mane one paid a bit over the odds. Sadly I think the Champions League qualification has re-ignited a barely concealed sense of entitlement, among some of their fans anyway. I always remember possibly the best ever Southampton team being denied a European adventure in 1985 because of the horror of Heysel and it took me a while to look upon Liverpool with any affection after that.

During the last couple of decades I've met a few intelligent, thoughtful 'pool fans and enjoyed the passion and humour generated by the club. I think however the arrogance (not limited to their fans tbh) is now heading for record levels and their fans frankly don't care if they 'cheat', only if they do it badly and get caught. Once they appoint a competent 'tapping up' officer they'll be fine.

 

They should be called Sweet FA

 

I hope that we get away with this, a transfer ban could leave us right in the ****. Heads should roll.

Why not just ****ing bid and see what happens? It's not difficult.

 

I agree , but I hope ALL clubs get looked into .

It's gone on for far too long , and Liverpool are no way the only ones .

 

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I still have a gut feeling this will go tits up. Can't see FA / PL following through on their responsibilities & just have a feeling, both clubs will let the dust settle, VVD will kick off, if he's not doing already & agree on a £M. Hope not but .............

 

I think your club wants to sell to City and we've got in the way, because we've gone and cocked it all up it gave you good reason to get rid of us. City will come calling at some point and you can name your price. If we had done this the right way and you had named your price I don't think we would have met it anyway.

 

Obviously any Saints fan wants him to stay, but when the apology came out I had to RE read it multiple times as I couldn't believe it. Thought all of it was posturing from either side, but appears Liverpool may have done something genuinely wrong. If it was Southampton doing this to someone I'd be just as mad!

 

I'm well pissed off, I rate VVD and now we have no chance of signing him. I think it was only a slim chance anyway.

You'd think that over the years we would have at least built a good business relationship with your club (if not with the fans) for us to tap up one of your players is beyond stupid.

 

I still can't believe the guardians of football have effectively washed their hands of this. Surely some action, if only a token slap on the wrist, a suspended ban on a suspended ban type, won't be enforced. Christ, LFC have been dumb & we must have very damming evidence for them to grovel but for FA / PL just to effectively turn a blind eye just beggers belief.

 

Can somebody link me where it says the PL are not taking action?

 

I still think you stand a good chance of getting him (unfortunatly). The negotiations will be almost painfully formal and 'pool will have to pay an unofficial tapping up premium, if not £ then excessive sell on clauses or (maybe take Gardos as well).

The bottom line is if Van Dijk wants to play for Liverpool he will. Saints have always been realistic about this stuff and try to manage it so players don't get too p*ssed off so the club remains attractive to future signing.

 

I suspect Saints are perfectly happy with this...they may even have been involved in dictating the statement....with Liverpool holding out for 'misunderstanding' to be included. It smooths our ruffled feathers and, by pulling out of the race for Virgil, Liverpool and the player have been put in their place. In fact, Liverpool may not come in for any of our players in the near future...so that particular annoyance will be removed. We still have to be in the same league as this team, so doubt we want any more unpleasantness....and things can come back to bite you...no club is completely spotless.

 

In contrast to some, I think Liverpool is completely out of the race for Virgil. He is a good player, though overpriced, and is now a source of embarrassment....there are other players in the world you know. VVD has become some kind of token....buying him seems to prove something to fans of other big clubs....bit like a large designer handbag. It's ridiculous and this episode may return teams to the land of reality.