Virgil van Dijk has upset Southampton fans by posing in a Manchester City top a week before the transfer window opens.
Defender Jose Fonte shared the team picture on Instagram with all eyes focussed on the former Celtic defender.
The picture was taken after the team’s secret Santa presentation with van Dijk happy to be seen in a City top days before a £50m bid is expected from Pep Guardiola.
Van Dijk is likely to be the most in-demand player in the game during January with both Manchester clubs and Chelsea expected to put in bids.
With a dearth of central defenders around and City paying out £50m for John Stones in the summer Southampton are looking at a massive profit 16 months after paying Celtic £10m for the Dutchman.
At 24 years of age with experience of the Champions League and Europa League van Dijk is perfectly placed for a bidding war.
While Southampton fans are angered by the picture signing for Chelsea or Manchester United could become awkward as van Dijk explains his pleasure at the secret Santa gift from a former team-mate.
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