After a summer transfer window saga of immense annoyance and frustration for fans, management and Southampton's Virgil van Dijk himself, there finally seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Reports emerging in England suggest that Liverpool have finally agreed a fee with Southampton, and, pipping both Manchester City and Chelsea, will bring Virgil van Dijk to Anfield for a record-breaking fee.
Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.
Full story: https://t.co/tJy9vsGOen pic.twitter.com/L17A7UwqaU— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2017
With City setting the £54 million world-record for the purchase of a defender during the summer, Liverpool till surpass this by £21 million; bringing van Dijk's fee to £75 million.
Although Liverpool did not actually make a formal offer for van Dijk during the summer, this accepted offer is more than the club were initially keen to pay:
Liverpool did not ultimately make a formal offer to Southampton last summer but were ready to pay around £60 million after it became clear that Van Dijk wanted to join them.
Southampton were furious at the leak of information before a fee had been agreed and their complaint to the Premier League prompted an apology from Liverpool and an agreement not to pursue the deal.
In what has been an incredibly drawn-out transfer saga for both clubs and the fans involved, Liverpool will now be hopeful that the introduction of the Dutch defender can help them alleviate their defensive woes.
In terms of van Dijk's own payment, it is expected that he will be on anything from £180,000 a week upward.
