Premier League history could have been very different had Virgil van Dijk signed for Manchester United, who were interested in the Dutch defender back in 2017
Manchester United’s transfer dealings have been highly questionable over the last decade.
Under the Glazers, United have splurged vast sums on a host of players who have under-delivered. Arguably the biggest transfer misstep involves a player who has gone on to become a Liverpool icon.
In the summer of 2017, then-Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk was a man in demand. United were on the lookout for a centre-back and had identified the Dutchman as a potential solution.
However, the Red Devils went in a different direction, signing Victor Lindelof from Benfica instead. Liverpool swooped for Van Dijk the following January, paying the Saints £75million, with United later splashing £80million on Harry Maguire from Leicester.
The startling revelation was made by Van Dijk’s former Southampton team-mate Charlie Austin. He told talkSPORT back in 2021: “I remember the back end of his Southampton career, we were on the bench together at Chelsea away.
“I sat there I said, ‘Come on Virgil, what’s going on, surely Man United must’ve been in for you? Massive club in England, etc.’ He said, ‘You know what Chaz, in the summer it was like between me or Lindelof and they signed Lindelof’.
“I was like, ‘You are joking!’ Nobody knows that, he told me that on the bench. I couldn’t believe it, I was just as gobsmacked as you. Obviously, there was talk in the summer he was going to go there then they’ve gone and taken Lindelof instead.”
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The rest, as they say, is history, with the towering centre-back playing an instrumental role in both Champions League and Premier League triumphs under Jurgen Klopp.
Meanwhile, Lindelof hasn’t always been a first-team regular at United and could be heading for pastures new this summer. New Fenerbahce boss, Jose Mourinho, the man who brought Lindelof to Old Trafford, is reportedly keen to take the Swede, who has a year left on his United contract.
Maguire, who has become a figure of ridicule at times, could also be on his way this summer, with United eager to avoid losing him for nothing next summer when his contract expires.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
