Virgil van Dijk

Big Van Dijk is the best domestic centre back i have seen play for us but even in the europa league this year he was found wanting. Look at the amount of goals we conceded in europe. Even at home to Inter when we were playing very well we still conceded 3, and then he was sent off away to Inter albeit very harshly- doesnt matter he still was sent off. 10 million and i would be very happy he has a long way to go for me, probably end up at Southampton.

 

Quite ironic, considering the biggest reason between the difference in performances between the year before and Lenny's last season was our inability to replace Victor Wanyama.

 

09:36
VAN DIJK: I WANT OUT

Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk has said that he would “definitely” consider leaving Celtic this summer if a club bids for him.

The Dutch defender has been a key player for the Bhoys as they retained their Scottish Premier League but Van Dijk has questioned the standard of the league and wants to move away.

He told Dutch radio station Omroep Brabant: "Celtic are a great club with a fantastic stadium and the fans are great. Only the competition is not too good.

“I want to develop. If the opportunity is there, I will definitely consider a transfer. But maybe there will be nothing ..."

 

* *, laid it on quit thick. I mean I know he was nice about us but that is a dagger - how do we negotiate with a club when the player is basically saying he is desperate to get out?

 

"Celtic are a great club with a fantastic stadium and the fans are great.

"But the competition is not too good.

“I want to develop. If the opportunity is there, I would definitely consider a transfer.

“But maybe there will be nothing.”

 

It'll be sad to see him go but he wants to improve and the scottish league won't do that. Fair enough champions league is where it's at aff Id rather he stayed until a good club came in who could give him thay opportunity. Wouldn't like to see him leave for a bottom epl team.

 

If he goes to Southampton or a club of that stature, I won't hold it against him. They're ambitious, at least.

 

"Celtic are a great club with a fantastic stadium and the fans are great." - To me this suggests he's content where he is and has alot of respect for the club.

"But the competition is not too good." - He's not daft, he knows that qualifying for the Champions League next year completely changes that.

“I want to develop. If the opportunity is there, I would definitely consider a transfer." - He'd "consider" it, and he'd be right to, but at no point has he said he'd be bolting for the door. He'll also know that the Champions League is as good a stage as any to develop.

“But maybe there will be nothing.” - He knows there is plenty interest in him, but he also knows that he has a contract here and any prospective deal has to be right for Celtic before it's his decision to make. For me this highlights that he won't be knocking down Deila's door pushing for a move.

If we're all honest, we know Virgil's long term future lies elsewhere and so does he. He's ambitious and he's got a * of a lot of potential and that won't be lost on him, but he's also young and I believe he's very aware of the fact that he's got it good here in terms of the support and in terms of winning trophies, which may not be the case elsewhere. A player like him will always have one eye on a potential move to "bigger things" but I don't think that necessarily means he's rushing out the door.

 

No revelations here...

Virgil and Denayer are gone..,I hope their replacements are ready..

 

No different to the Gudetti situation. Of course players are going to try and maximize their earnings.

However he is under contract for another 2 years and should only be sold if and when it suits us and if our valuation is met. Simple as that.

 

I would be happy to keep him for another season but if it was January then at least he is here for the champions league qualifiers etc . Just would hate to loss him and not be have someone to replace him for the reat of the season

 

What is our evaluation though? I'm sure it will be met. If you look at Southampton they will probably get 20m+ for Clyne so 10m-12m bid for Virgil would be good business for them and us.

The key is when we allow him to go, surely only after CL qualifiers. Like with Forster, allowed to leave when it looked like we were out.

Edit: it's nothing like the Guidetti situation!

 

* That!!

I'd be disappointed if we accepted £10mil for him. He has the potential to go for more than Wanyama.

 

I think it will come down to what happens in the Champions League qualifiers. If we make it through to the group stages he will stay if we don't we will likely sell him.

 

I've got zero problems with anything he said there. It's a long life, and a short career. Guy quite rightly wants to get paid while he can.

That said, I'd love to keep him another year, but if not, I'll wish him well. I think he can go on to have a stellar career, domestically and internationally.

 

As someone said, much like with Wanyama, I can't begrudge the guy. Him and Victor are/were just far too good to play in Scotland.

 

Best Celtic CB in a long while, I hope he does well

 

Would have no problem letting him go for the reported fee of 10m and go back to the dutch leauge and sign another centre half as his replacement.

He has been fantastic for us domestically but been found wanting in Europe and if we got that kind of money that's been reported then we can take it.

Would really have liked us to have signed a center half in the Jan window cause we all knew that we could lose 1 if not both of our center halfs this summer.

Let's hope we do our business early before the qualifying games but going with the past years it may not be the case.