This Long-term Liverpool Target Would Be Better Off Joining Barcelona Instead – Agreed?

Why Van Dijk Should Join Barcelona And Not Liverpoool

The saga of Virgil van Dijk’s possible departure from Southampton refuses to die. Over the summer, he was linked with possibly every big club one can think of, but Liverpool were believed to be the front-runners. Now, if fresh reports are to be believed, Barcelona are edging closer to a move for the central defender.

The Southampton star was determined to join the Reds last summer but the sour relationship between the Saints and the Merseysiders destroyed any chances of a potential deal. With Barcelona in the fray though, the Dutchman could change his mind, especially since a switch to join the Catalan club could greatly benefit him.

Scouts from Barcelona are understood to have watched the centre-back during the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifying game against Sweden – and they seem to have been quite impressed with what they saw.

Van Dijk is a gem of a defender, to be very honest. He is aerially strong, physically solid and is capable of dribbling. To add to that, he also provides support during offensive plays, which makes it easy for the team to link defence with attack. The player has undoubtedly been one of the best for Netherlands and Southampton, making it quite clear as to why so many clubs are vying for his signature.

In fact, Liverpool’s inability to sign him has been brutally highlighted in their performances this season so far. Their central defence is in shambles. Joel Matip may be somewhat strong but Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren have been quite frail, and it comes as no surprise that Liverpool have conceded 12 goals already.

While it does seem like Liverpool are the most obvious choice for Virgil van Dijk to make an impact on, Barcelona will prove to be a better option for the player’s personal growth. The Catalans have not enjoyed the best of performances from their defenders of late, even though the numbers may suggest otherwise.

Gerard Pique is now 30-years-old, and he is slowing down. The lack of pace in his performances is quite visible and it is affecting the team. Moreover, he has also been quite sloppy in terms of his work-rate, thus making it unlikely for him to be a regular starter in the long run. On the other hand, Javier Mascherano has been indicating lately that he could seek an exit from the club sometime in the near future. If that happens, it will only accentuate Barcelona’s need for a central defender.

They will still have Marlon Santos but the player is not ready to be a regular first-team member just yet. Thus, van Dijk could prove to be a valuable addition to the squad. Furthermore, joining Barcelona will certainly propel him towards greater chances of winning trophies when compared to both Liverpool and Southampton.