Celtic have made a bid for Groningen defender Virgil van Dijk.
The 21-year-old had an outstanding season for Groningen who finished seventh in the Eredivisie last season.
Brighton have been tracking van Dijk since Christmas time but have been unable to make a move due to uncertainty over the future of manager Gus Poyet.
Neil Lennon is keen to add a strong central defender to his squad with Thomas Rogne moving on and Efe Ambrose missing the start of the season due to his involvement in the Confederations Cup.
Van Dijk joined Groningen from Willem II in 2010 and would cost around £1.8m due to having two years left on his contract.
Following increased speculation earlier today van Dijk’s agent Martin Henk Chin told Dutch tv: “It is true that a bid for Vigil has been made but I can’t say anything about the club.”
Groningen director Hans Nijland also confirmed that a bid has been made.
Van Dijk turned 22 earlier this month and has been capped by Holland at u-19 and u-21 level.
Celtic return to training on Thursday with Neil Lennon gathering the bulk of his squad together although internationalists like Ambrose, Tom Rogic, Mikel Lustig, Georgios Samaras and Emilio Izaguirre will be given extra time off.
The draw for the Champions League will be made on June 24 with Celtic’s first match scheduled for July 19/20.
Before that the hoops will travel to Germany for a training camp which will also involve a friendly against Union Berlin on July 12.
Lennon is hoping to move early on his transfer targets with Amido Balde signed last week from Vitoria Guimaraes with moves underway to bring in van Dijk and others.
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Go on Celtic, let’s have a few outstanding additions to our squad, would like a creative midfielder in the lubo mould!
Get Hooper & Vic on extensions,pay the money Peter!
Monti mate a don’t think money’s the issue with big vic and hooper it’s the shite league were in saying that i can understand vic leaving he’ll be going to a top club but hooper ffs hull reading Norwich if there the type of clubs going for him he should sign a contract and do the business for us again and a big club will come I’m sure, glad the club are doing the transfers early get them bedded in for the qualifiers HH
Totally agree Mark Hooper has time on his side and he can kiss goodbye to any England dreams playing for nomark outfits like the ones mentioned.
2 more years proving himself in Europe (7 goals in 18 games) and this will take him to 27 years of age and a prime target for an Arsenal or a spurs.
He is a poacher and a natural finisher reliant on instinct and his undoubted strength.
Wanyama is destined for the big time and good luck to him when it happens though another 6 to 12 months would be great if possible.
Monti I agree with you get hoops and vic on new deals, if we can qualify for group stages the money will b there to pay them more.. I would rather another winger like Mackay Steven than a creative player in Lubo mould. We have commons and rogic who could both play that role, hopefully rogic really kicks on this year as he is very highly rated
he looks a better striker than balde lol dont know whether thats a good or bad thing in a defenders highlights reel.
looking good
We should have a look at hoffenheim defender jannik vestergaard,big Danish lad but very good defender.
Better getting them in early other than being left with the dregs from the bottom of the barrel in the final days of the transfer window.
I have to agree that it’s good that were trying to get people in early. We need to hit the qualifiers with a full head of steam, and I certainly wont miss the tension of the transfer deadline night.
Or maybe I will, just a little bit.
Think You will see the summer out Sally?
He looks big and fast. However was always playing like a wing back on the video and was being touted for his attacking skills .Our Scouting system is as good as anybodys and we will rely on their ability to spot the potential. Central defender is my preference for first need. The creative midfielder second.
I think that Peter Lawell Neil Lennon and Dermot Desmond are getting there business done early if they can persuade Hooper to sign a new deal then the Champions League will raise his profile and Celtic benefit as well
Get him !!!!!
He played for several national youth teams over here and when Toby Alderweireld will leave Ajax this summer, it is said that van Dijk is on top of the Ajax list.
I tell you, when Ajax is after him, he’s not a diddy 😉
Thanks Mickey,
What would be the view of the average Dutch/Groningen fan on van Dijk’s strength and potential?
Big, strong and he will only get better.
I guess most people here know, that this guy is too good to stay in Groningen.
The papers here mention his name almost every day (and that is just to let the people know that nothing has happened yet), cause they know he will leave soon.
He seems to be on the PSV wanting list also.
Today the papers/local tv said: Onbekende club doet bod voor Virgil van Dijk/ Unknown club makes move for Virgil van Dijk (http://www.rtvnoord.nl/artikel/artikel.asp?p=122073)
Just called with the journalist of RTV Noord (Groningen).
He heard the same buzz, but did not hear any official stuff.
He’ll call with Scotland tomorrow morning.
Don’t know to much about Virgil van dijk, but Celtic need a big strong defender as there a bit weak in that position sometimes, and like the other boy said, we can do with a gd play maker in midfield, to create a bit of magic and unlock defences for our strikers
The heather burns as we speak!!!
We need a good young defender he must be better than what we have at the moment Go for him Lennon Hail Hail
If we keep Hooper and Victor ….then i duff my cap to the Celtic board for having ambition before greed ………….at last WE’RE BACK as a European team to be reckoned with . 125AC
I don’t know why lennon don’t go for sean st leger as he went for him before and missed out he has no club now
I agree–Sean St. Ledger would be a great player for Celtic,hail hail
No disrepect but I’d be hugely disappointed if the height of our ambition is St. Leger….this lad from Holland looks reasonable, difficult to judge on such short clips – hopefully he can handle the rough & tumble and has some pace. Although I now see twitter comments about his club demanding 4m Euro’s which is about double the opening bid.
With other clubs apparently hovering, any delay would likely be bad news as I would expect us to move for a lower option.