Liverpool have made some transformative signings during the FSG era. The Reds have earned a reputation as one of the transfer market’s most savvy operators. Some of the FSG signings will go down as some of the club’s very best. One came close to not happening. According to Charlie Austin, Man United could’ve signed Virgil van Dijk but they chose Victor Lindelof.
Liverpool sign Van Dijk
Three years ago the Reds struck one of the most important deals of the club’s modern history.
Liverpool agreed to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for a fee of £75m.
The Reds had been courting the Dutchman for some time and eventually they came to an agreement.
The news was swiftly followed and indeed financed by the megabucks departure of Philippe Coutinho.
Virgil’s impact was instant as he corralled a scatty defence, leading the back line to a Champions League final in his first six months.
Man United and Virgil van Dijk
Things could’ve been very different.
There was plenty of interest in our number four, as you would expect given his obvious talent.
According to former teammate Charlie Austin, Man United could’ve signed Virgil van Dijk.
The former Southampton striker told TalkSPORT:
“I remember at the back end of his Southampton career we were on the bench together at Chelsea away, I asked him, ‘come on Virg, what’s going on? Surely Man United must have been in for you?
“He told me, ‘you know what, Chaz, in the summer it was between me and Lindelof, and they signed Lindelof’.”
What RTK has to say
What a bombshell.
United must be kicking themselves for not signing Virgil van Dijk.
He is the best centre back in the world bar none.
Instead they went and signed Victor Lindelof who is…OK.
Realising their mistake they went and bought Harry Maguire who has been good but not a patch on Big Virg.