Southampton were handed a boost in their battle to keep hold of captain Virgil van Dijk in the week when, after accusations of tapping up, Liverpool ended their interest in the Dutchman.
However, with Jurgen Klopp’s side pulling out of the race the ball is in the court of Premier League champions Chelsea and top four rivals Manchester City.
Whilst reports from the Daily Mail maintain that the two are still interested in a deal, they also claim that top officials at St. Mary’s are confident they can keep hold of their man unless one demand is met.
The Mail claim that the Saints hierarchy are holding out for a world-record bid for a defender of £70m if they are to entertain the idea of selling the 25-year-old, who signed a six-year-deal at the club last year.
Despite being injured for almost half of the season the £21.25m-rated centre-half impressed enough to drum up interest from the highest echelons of the Premier League, however, at this time there have been no official approaches made.