Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has conceded he has no control over whether Virgil van Dijk stays at the club beyond next month.
Pellegrino dropped Van Dijk’s for Southampton’s 1-0 defeat away to Chelsea on Saturday fuelling suggestions about his long-term future.
Van Dijk failed to secure a summer move away from Southampton and the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are expected to express an interest next month.
“I can’t control the market. I’m not the owner of the player. I can have my opinion and this I have give to the technical director, to the chairman my opinion,” The Daily Telegraph quote Pellegrino as saying after Saturday’s match. “After, the board can decide all together which is the best for the team.
“I will repeat that I can’t control the market right now. I can’t control this. I will recommend to try to keep our best player here in the club. The club was clear in the beginning and I have the same opinion.”
Van Dijk is still looking to rediscover his best form since returning from a long-term injury that ruled him of the final six months of last season.
In the last four Premier League campaigns, Van Dijk has won the WhoScored Man of the Match (11) more times than any other defender.
