The Virgil Van Dijk Stays at Southampton Thread

Thank you, Chilcs but I beat you to it

 

That pun is borderline

 

Virgil's sulk is only human nature, you'll see.

 

Hello chaps, had a little exchange with one of you yesterday and thought I'd add a little perspective. Tapping up happens all the time. We've had it happen to several players, most notably in recent years Torres and Suarez. Here's what Wenger had to say about the Suarez situation. ''He was very close. We had an agreement with the player. We had been wrongly advised that he had a clause, but we had an agreement with the player. You can ask him.''

Owner John Henry voiced concerns at the time, saying “How does a club who doesn’t have permission to speak with your player see his contract?” Now Wenger has claimed openly that negotiations had been finalised.

And a spokesman for the FA’s disciplinary department said that they were not in a position to comment on the matter until they looked into it further after the end of the international week. Nevertheless, Section C1 of the FA rules says “a player may not be approached by any other club, or official of any other club, or any person with a view to inducing the player to leave the club for which the Player is registered, except with the written permission of that club.”

Here's the important bit which [to me] shows the difference between our two clubs - Yesterday, Liverpool were reluctant to make a formal complaint against their Premier League rivals.

I'm not claiming it's okay, far from it, but it's very naïve to claim that Liverpool are the only guilty club. As far as our fans are concerned it's been amateur hour for a while with how our particular transfer 'committee' does it's business, but please don't think we're the only club doing it. We aren't.

 

I think us fans would have be to very naive and biased to think Liverpool were the only club doing it.

Personally, I feel that the the reaction of Saints fan to the situation is purely because of being sick of Liverpool buying all our players. It isn't helped by the fact a certain section of your support (not including and not606 Liverpool poster) were very mocking the days before and on the official complaint news.

Whilst I'm sure saints have done it themselves at some point, I think it's the right step forward for this tapping up to have some negative consequences and for the smaller teams to start making a stand against the bigger clubs.

 

You aren't the only club doing it, I'm sure every club does it to some extent. The rule should be scrapped in my opinion as it is outdated and a bit of a joke as it is so hard to prove, but while he rule is in place then stuff like this can happen.

You are however the only club stupid enough to go bragging to the local media saying how you've heard straight from the players mouth that he wanted the move over anyone else, to try and score points over City/Chelsea.

 

Also I don't think the Suarez thing is really comparible as I don't think a club phoning up a players agent to ask about his current contract is tapping up (I may be wrong here though)

 

Well we certainly know why Liverpool don't make formal complaints don't we?
Are you happy with that,all this nonsense about not "telling" is childish frankly!

 

Where did you get the impression we thought you were the only club doing it? The simple fact is, it was time for us to tell your club to **** off in the strongest way possible. I think that was achieved. You've milked us enough and I think the correct stance was taken.

Move on.

 

After the deals we have done in the past with Liverpool, it was reasonable to expect to be treated with respect. Even if we were likely to sell VVD, trying to get in first was an attempt to damage our bargaining position. And if we aren't selling him, they were undermining us. Informing his agent...ok. Convincing him to break his contract....not ok. We aren't a little club you can bully....and it wouldn't be right if we were one either. You'd think they'd have learnt from that kid they sold up the garden path...his parents are looking for compensation as he was left out to dry. Remember he was 11 years old.

 

Good post.

Chelsea were done for it re. Ashley Cole - a fine and points deduction - so it's not like the FA aren't aware it happens. I'm sure your fans must be sick of us signing your players, some of us are too

I do think that a lot of what's being said about the VVD case is pure speculation. The player himself has never revealed exactly what contact was made so we can thank the media for all the juicy titbits about Blackpool or whatever. If you're on the aggrieved side you'll believe it, if you're not you probably won't. Our club's apology didn't state anything specific, no admission just an intent to withdraw. No doubt it will all come out sooner or later.

 

It specifically stated they withdrew interest in Virgil.

If they announced an intent to withdraw, what were they withdrawing from if they hadn't done anything? That was the admission.

You are beginning to sound like you have one hand over one eye and the other over one ear. You're only seeing and hearing what you want to.

 

I am willing to bet that Saints asked Virgil directly if he had spoken to Klopp....I doubt he would have lied and risked being caught out.

 

I'm not sure it happened like that Living in Liverpool and reading the local press I can tell you the player came out as wanting us over other clubs. No bragging on our part, unless you have a link. Here's the link to the 'local media' -

Liverpool have taken a major step towards the record signing of Virgil van Dijk after the player indicated he would prefer a move to Anfield.
Liverpool have refused to comment on speculation surrounding the player.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...van-dijk-liverpool-transfer-decision-13141658

Sky said this ''Virgil van Dijk has told Liverpool they are his preferred destination this summer, ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City. Liverpool are refusing to comment on the speculation, but it is understood they are prepared to break their transfer record to land him.''
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...fer-to-liverpool-from-southampton-this-summer

 

I didn't. I'm going on all the talk from all fans who've got an opinion on it, it's coming across like no other club has ever done it before.

As regards us 'milking' you More like your club has been more than happy ripping us off for very average players, so why would they suddenly want that to stop - makes no sense.

 

Where does he "come out" as choosing you? I see no quotes from him, just an article written in the Liverpool Echo that Sky have rehashed.

Weren't the Echo the first to report that City had come on for him aswell and matched Liverpools bid? Nothing in the Manc papers before the Echo article. Then Saints say there have been no official bids for VVD as yet so I wonder who could have leaked this info to the press

 

The fact is that Liverpool made an unprecedented apology to Saints....there must have been a reason, perhaps something that hasn't come out in the press. They wouldn't have done it out of the goodness of their hearts.

 

How the **** is Mane average?

 

Really? - ''Liverpool and Chelsea were also thought to be interested in signing the 25-year-old but it is believed that Van Dijk has snubbed City's rivals and decided to work with Pep Guardiola.''
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...fer-news/man-city-transfers-van-dijk-13135426

It's clearly his agent is looking for his big payday. And the reports in the Echo were the other way around - Liverpool matched City's bid.

 

Perhaps Pep took him to the slots at Blackpool as well as the Big One