Southampton Boss Mauricio Pellegrino Admits Defeat on Stalwart Virgil van Dijk's Future

Southampton Boss Mauricio Pellegrino has admitted defeat over the future of his Saints stalwart and defender Virgil van Dijk. 

After the carousel over the player's future at the club in the summer, the same transfer funfair looks to be returning to town in January, as Van Dijk heads towards the Southampton exit.

Quoted from FourFourTwo, Pellegrino was resigned about the Dutchmen leaving for a bigger club. After Southampton's latest 1-0 defeat to Chelsea Pellegrino said: "I can't control the market.

"I'm not the owner of the player. I can have my opinion and this I have given to the technical director, to the chairman.

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"After, the board can decide all together which is the best for the team."

In the summer, Van Dijk's transfer to Liverpool was certain to happen, with the player even handing in his transfer request to force the move. However, Liverpool were forced to back out of the deal after Southampton filed a complaint to the FA over Liverpool's illegal tapping-up of the player. 

The collapsed move left Van Dijk an isolated figure at Southampton, being forced to train alone. However, the 26-year-old worked his way back into the starting line up, making 12 appearances for the Saints so far this campaign. 

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Though, with the January transfer window imminent Van Dijk's future at the club is once again in called into question. Liverpool will once again return for the Dutchman's services, but this time will expect stiff competition from their rivals. It has been reported that both Manchester City and Chelsea have entered the fray for the player's signature.  

With the Van Dijk situation out of his hands, Saints boss Pellegrino will be focused on turning round Southampton's run of five games without a win.