Liverpool to sign Van Dijk officially from Southampton

Liverpool have announced that Virgil Van Dijk will be joining the club effective from January 1st for a world-record fee for a defender - a reported £75m, which would be a club-record fee for the Scousers.

A club statement read:

"Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender move to Anfield when the transfer window re-opens on January 1, 2018.

The Netherlands international will be assigned squad number four, upon his arrival at Liverpool."