• Defender says he is ‘incredibly ambitious’ and wants European football • Hits back at ‘insulting’ suggestions he refused to train for the club

Virgil van Dijk has handed in a transfer request as he looks to force his way out of Southampton.

The centre-half, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, says he is “insulted” by suggestions he has refused to train. Last month the 26-year-old saw a dream move to Liverpool collapse with Southampton reporting the Anfield club to the Premier League for an alleged illegal approach. Liverpool were forced into an apology and, in a bid to defuse the situation, promised they would back away from the former Celtic player.

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Mauricio Pellegrino has since revealed Van Dijk had been training alone and was not in the right frame of mind to play for Southampton. The club insist the Holland international is not for sale but Van Dijk has now made it plain he wishes to leave.

A statement from Van Dijk read: “It is with regret I can confirm I have today handed in a transfer request to leave Southampton. I feel I have no alternative after I was given notice of the club’s intention to impose a disciplinary sanction against me of a fine equivalent to two weeks’ wages. I will be appealing what I feel to be an unjustified sanction and their inability to follow the correct disciplinary protocol in due course.

“Over the past six months I have held numerous discussions with representatives of the board, the former manager Claude Puel as well as the new manager Mauricio Pellegrino to inform them all of my desire to leave in search of a new challenge.

“I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer. I want to play European football again and challenge for major honours and as such I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist. I have been left frustrated by the club’s position that I am not for sale and am disappointed inquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.

“The period of time that I have just spent injured and unable to play has put a number of things into perspective and made me realise just how important it is to take major opportunities should they arise. I have consistently relayed my feelings to senior management in what I believed to be private and personal conversations. Disappointingly these conversations have regularly found their way into the media. I would also like to make clear that I have never once refused to train. As a proud professional I am insulted by the suggestion that it was me who refused to train and so feel it is important to point out the true version of events.

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“I had very much hoped to retain the good relationship I’ve always enjoyed with everyone at the club, especially the fans, but in light of everything that’s happened this has now been seriously affected. I have nothing but gratitude to everyone at Southampton for giving me the opportunity to play in the Premier League.

“However, the time for me to move on is now and I hope to be able to work with the club to find the best resolution to suit all parties.”

Liverpool were willing to pay a world-record sum for a defender – around £60m – to win the race for Van Dijk and the £200,000-a-week contract offer had made Anfield his preferred destination. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will now return for their No1 summer transfer target.