SAINTS have proved before that keeping a wantaway player can work to their advantage – and will feel confident of pulling it off again with Virgil van Dijk.

Both Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama had sights set away from St Mary’s, but were told in no uncertain terms that they’d have to be patient for their move away.

Eventually they both did move – to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively, but that extended time at St Mary's had enabled Saints, knowing these players were going to leave, to scout and recruit suitable replacements.

The prime example of that is the purchase of Oriol Romeu from Chelsea, when the club brought in a direct replacement for Wanyama even before the Kenyan had left.

That ended up being very smart, with Romeu now a key man in the Saints midfield.

The club have set out their stall in a similar way to the Schneiderlin and Wanyama situations with Van Dijk’s own transfer saga.

This one is playing out in its own way, with Van Dijk told to train alone after stating he’d like to leave.

Liverpool have already apologised and dropped all interest in the player after Saints reported them for an ‘illegal approach’ in June and, apart from the constant media talk, there’s no suggestion anything has happened since.

There’s no bid to test Saints’ resolve, nor a transfer request from Van Dijk. The Dutchman is training on his own because he’s not yet come round the idea that he’s not going to be able to move.

Saints have said that no one will be leaving and told Mauricio Pellegrino as such when he took the job at St Mary’s.

If Saints stay true to their word, Van Dijk will have to accept that he’s a Saints player until January at least. After all, he did happily put pen to paper on a six year contract last summer, which made him the best paid player in the club’s history.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Some fans are suggesting letting Van Dijk ‘rot in the reserves’, but there’s no real value in that.

If Saints manage to pull off the Schneiderlin and Wanyama trick again, then they’ll be able to keep an undoubtedly talented player, who, because of his contract, will only likely increase in value next summer.

Keeping Van Dijk may also have a bearing on Pellegrino’s influence on the squad.

He came out strongly and impressively about Van Dijk and the last thing he’ll want is his word undermined.

Ronald Koeman commanded huge respect and was almost feared, having told Schneiderlin and Wanyama that they must respect the club’s wishes for them to stay.

At one point Koeman said he'd let Wanyama and Sadio Mane sit “in the stands” if they agitated for a move away.

Pellegrino has in his own way done the same with Van Dijk and if the centre-back rejoins the group and once again plays for Saints, the Argentine will have claimed a major off field victory. His authority would be undoubted and would be more so if he stripped Van Dijk of the captaincy, which would be no surprise considering the current situation.

The 45-year-old chief clearly wants to players to value playing for Saints – so often it’s considered just a stepping stone to ‘greater’ things. He deserves respect just for that.

There's always another way of looking at the situation, though...

Saints have yet to receive a bid for Virgil van Dijk – but may well be foolhardy not to consider it if it reaches their valuation of the player.

Liverpool – and about every 'big' Premier League club – have been continually linked with a move for Van Dijk this summer, but as yet no money is on the table.

An offer of £50m or £60m is unlikely to get Saints’ interest. So it’s going to have to be a seriously huge bid to drag the club to the negotiating table.

But if one of these clubs who are supposedly interested do end up stumping up some cash eventually - around £75m might well do it - then it would be pretty reckless not to consider such a money injection, which could (should) go towards strengthening the squad.

That would all be for a player who’s said he doesn’t want to play for the club anymore, too - albeit, granted, a top class one, who will be very difficult to replace.

Mauricio Pellegrino has already stated that he wants everyone 100 per cent on board for the team – the last thing you’d probably want is one player causing a stink, ruining what could be a harmonious dressing room.

The Argentine is trying to create a spirit and bond among the squad which was so often missing last season. He knows if he can produce that it will lift this team – the whole club in fact.

Saints don’t have a huge budget and have been very conservative in the transfer window so far, with just £5m centre-back Jan Bednarek coming in so far.

But flogging a wantaway player for top bucks would provide a war chest for Pellegrino to dip in to.

A move such as this would obviously be turning away from the principles that Saints have laid out to Van Dijk, and isn't the example they want to continue to set to their stars.

However, if one of the big clubs is really serious about buying the Dutchman and a good bid comes in, then why not consider it?

Van Dijk has burnt a lot of bridges with the fans. They just want the players to love turning out for Saints and, after such a great two years, they will be feeling betrayed by the central defender, who had been handed the captain’s armband last season after signing a long-term contract. Everything he'd done previously pointed to loyalty until now.

As things stand, the fans will not be giving Van Dijk a hearty welcome if he is to play for the club again and it will take a lot to change that.

Having a player booed and jeered on the opening the day of the season would be far from ideal, especially when there's a new manager who needs backing.

First and foremost, though, a decent bid needs to be made and then, and only then, Saints can consider their options.