Earlier today, The Telegraph reported that Liverpool and Southampton have agreed to a $100.5 million transfer fee for defender Virgil van Dijk. This fee would break the transfer fee record for a defender, previously set by Manchester City and Kyle Walker. Van Dijk will also be Liverpool's club record signing.
Goal's Melissa Reddy, generally a pretty reliable source of Liverpool news, also reported a deal was imminent.
Virgil van Dijk opts for #LFC again as a record £75 million deal is set to be officially announced tonight with formalities all sorted. He'll join the club on January 1
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) December 27, 2017
Liverpool were reportedly very close to signing van Dijk, a Netherlands international considered to be one of the best center backs in the Premier League, last summer, but were rebuffed by Southampton. Southampton, winners of one of their last 11 Premier League matches, have changed their minds. Southampton have held van Dijk out of the lineup for their last few Premier League matches.
Liverpool confirmed the transfer on social media. Van Dijk will be a Liverpool player starting January 1 and will be available for both the Champions League and the FA Cup.
Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk.
Full story: https://t.co/tJy9vsGOen pic.twitter.com/L17A7UwqaU— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2017
That all happened awfully quickly. Is this the fix Liverpool's leaky defense needed?