Paper Round: Virgil van Dijk hands in transfer request to force Liverpool move

It's Tuesday Paper Round on OlomoInfo Blog. Virgil van Dijk tries to force a move to Liverpool, Manchester United to fight for Gareth Bale and Serge Aurier, and Manu Tuilagi's England career may be over.

Van Dijk requests transfer

Southampton central defender Virgil van Dijk has put in a transfer request in an effort to force a move away from St Mary's. He had been expected to join Livepool, but the move broke down over a tapping-up scandal. The 26-year-old Dutch international said he was, "insulted by the suggestion that it was me who refused to train.” and was left out of Southampton's pre-season tour. Van Dijk still has his heart set on a move to Liverpool, but Manchester City and Chelsea are interested. 

Our view: This has dragged too long. We all saw this coming anyway. The player has told the Saint bosses that he wants to leave for a more competitive team with Liverpool in mind. Apart form Liverpool Chelsea has also shown interest in him but he prefers a move to Liverpool so he is not short of top suitors. Lets see how this ends but expect a move before the league starts on Friday.

Mourinho to 'fight' for Gareth Bale

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that he will 'fight' other coaches for Gareth Bale should he become available. However, he said that if the 28-year-old wide forward starts against his side for Real Madrid tonight, then he will take it as a sign that Bale is set to stay at the Spanish club. 

Our view: Mourinho is still searching for an attacking player, after United's bid for Inter's Perisic failed to materialize. But doing business with Madrid is not easy which is evident in the case of Morata following which United drop interest in him and went for Lukaku. But you never know, anything can happen. Bale seems to have a future at Real but his injuries are an issue. To get him to England, United has to part with a huge sum. Mourinho knows what he wants.

 

United and Chelsea fight for Serge Aurier

As Serge Aurier appeals his two month sentence for assaulting a police officer, Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the pursuit of the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international. Chelsea and United have already done battle for Romelu Lukaku this season, and there was an extended negotiation over the Nemanja Matic transfer, but United remain favourites for Aurier. 

Our view: Few weeks ago, his transfer to United looked a done deal but that was not the case due to Aurier's ban from the UK. If he successfully appeals the ban by the time he appears in court, expect a two way battle for his signature but in all United looks favorite to land him due to his friendship with Pogba and also being a teammate to Bailly at international level. But then to succeed in England he needs to keep his discipline.