Man Utd tried to hijack Liverpool’s £75m Van Dijk deal

Manchester United tried to hijack Liverpool’s move for Virgil van Dijk in January, according to a report.

The Dutch defender was a target for Liverpool last summer and they were hoping to seal a transfer before Southampton reported the Reds to the Premier League over an alleged illegal approach of the centre-back.

Jurgen Klopp decided to back off and let the situation calm down before moving for the towering defender again in January and paying a record fee for a defender – £75million.

But that looks a bargain now – a fact Klopp alluded to last night – after a man-of-the-match performance from Van Dijk helped Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Virgil’s performance was really, really good,” Klopp said. “Quality costs a specific price. Cars are like that. Lots of things are like that. Players too.

“Nobody thinks about that now, which is good. In this market at the moment, he’s at least worth it.”

And now it has emerged via a report from Dominic King in the Daily Mail that United did try and lure the 27-year-old to Old Trafford in January.

“It is well known Manchester City were in for Van Dijk, while Chelsea and Arsenal both asked the question of Southampton,” read King’s article.

“Now it transpires United did actually throw their hat into the ring and made an enquiry for Van Dijk.

“They wanted to know the terms of his deal last December but, as is typical of that club now, the question was asked on the day Van Dijk was undergoing his medical at Anfield. By then it was far too late. United’s loss is most definitely Liverpool’s gain.”