Gus Poyet has revealed to talkSPORT he could have signed Virgil van Dijk for just €3million when he was manager of Brighton.
Only, the south coast club couldn’t afford it!
Van Dijk has proved to be worth every penny of the £75million Liverpool paid for him in January 2018, with the Netherlands international recently crowned the PFA Player of the Year.
GETTY
1
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world
He arrived at Anfield from Southampton, who signed the commanding centre-back from Scottish champions Celtic in 2015 for £13m – but it appears he may have arrived in England much earlier in his career had Brighton boasted a bigger budget.
Then in the Championship, ex-Seagulls boss Gus Poyet travelled to the Netherlands to watch Van Dijk in action, and he liked what he saw.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
Speaking on Wednesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Poyet said: “I went to see Van Dijk at Groningen when I was coach at Brighton.
“We went all the way up to Groningen to watch the game, and it was too easy for him. He was already incredible.
“After ten minutes you could see that he was bigger than everyone, more powerful than everyone and so calm on the ball.
“We watched the whole game and afterwards we talked to the chairman and we started getting in contact with the club and the agents, but he was too expensive for Brighton. He was €3million at that time!â€
“Brighton had just come into the Championship, although a year later we spent €3m on a striker, Leonardo Ulloa, but for a defender at that time it was impossible.”
Instead, he joined Celtic for the same fee, paving the way for his eventual move to Anfield where he has quickly become a Kop hero.
Van Dijk has made a stunning impact on the Liverpool back-four and has been one of the key reasons why they are up there with Manchester City challenging for the Premier League title.
The Reds have conceded just 20 goals in the Premier League this season – the fewest of any team in the top flight.
And he will be hoping to help Liverpool keep another clean sheet when they take on Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night – with LIVE talkSPORT commentary from the Nou Camp.
The UEFA Referees Committee has announced that Slovenian Damir Skomina will take charge of the 2019 Champions League final. Skomina, 42, has been an international referee since 2002 and will
Damir Skomina to referee Tottenham vs Liverpool Champions
Wales injury blow: Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey OUT of Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia with thigh problem Ryan Giggs confirms the midfielder has returned to Arsenal after his absence was noticed
Wales injury blow: Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey OUT of Euro 2020
Can Tammy Abraham play for Chelsea in Europa League final
Lucas Moura becomes just the 10th player EVER to get perfect 10/10 score from L'Equipe for Tottenham Champions League heroics. Tottenham stunned Ajax to reach the Champions League final on Wednesday
Tottenham hero Lucas Moura is only 10th player to get perfect
Former Arsenal ace Robin van Persie reveals 'great stories' he's heard about Tottenham and Liverpool training Published By: Talksport.com - Premier League - Today Mauricio Pochettino is known for being one of the most demanding managers in world football, and former Arsenal star Robin van Persie was am
Robin van Persie apologises to Arsenal fans over acrimonious
Gary Lineker Asks Rio Ferdinand & Paul Scholes If Man Utd Are In Danger Of Becoming Like Liverpool Credit : BT Sport Check them out here
Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) | Twitter
Derby manager Frank Lampard says he 'hugely respects' Leeds ahead of their 'Spygate' rematch on Saturday, which is live on talkSPORT. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted to sending an employee to watch the Rams train before the two sides met in January as the Whites ran out 2-0 winners at Elland Road.
Derby vs Leeds: Frank Lampard 'hugely respects' Marcelo
Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp insists remaining Anfield
REAL MADRID are prepared to offer Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas to Manchester United in return for Paul Pogba, it has been reported. Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez is said to
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd hopeful of agreement, Bale to
Chelsea fear they could be without N'Golo Kante for the Europa League final against Arsenal after he suffered a fresh injury in training on Saturday, according to reports. The French World Cup
N'Golo Kante major doubt for Chelsea's Europa League semi
It's official. Neil Warnock has lost the plot! His Cardiff side are on the brink of relegation and know nothing short of a win against Crystal Palace will do if they're to beat Brighton in the relegation battle. And it appears the pressure of staying in the top flight has finally got to the Bluebirds […]
Kenya Sport News ~ Over 400k Kenyans blacklisted on CRB over
FIFA Women's World Cup 2019: Five reasons why USWNT will repeat as champs The United States women's national team is the No. 1 ranked team in the world by FIFA
Women's World Cup 2019: The most important in history - CNN
No comments:
Post a Comment