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It is an absolute certainty Virgil van Dijk will leave Southampton, according to Jamie Redknapp, who believes he will choose Anfield over Stamford Bridge.

The Dutch defender submitted a transfer request on Monday, as well as releasing an explosive public statement detailing his desire to leave – and criticising his current club.

Liverpool have retained their interest in the 26-year-old despite their public climbdown in June, while Chelsea have been linked with a move.

It is believed the Reds will wait to see whether Southampton are now open to selling their star man before launching a bid, but former Liverpool captain Redknapp believes it is just a matter of time, and that van Dijk cannot be blamed for taking this stance.

"He goes, it's an absolute certainty,” he said. “He won't play for Southampton again.

"He has put in a transfer request and I think that probably suits Southampton. Let's be honest, I was there for a short time, Southampton are a selling club. If you have any ambition to be a top player you leave Southampton.

"Victor Wanyama, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana, everybody else has gone. They paid £13m to Celtic for van Dijk and they will get close to £60m, they will get a fortune for him.

"I don't blame Virgil one bit. This is what happens in football. He will already know how much he could get at Liverpool, how much he could get at Chelsea, this is what happens in football.

"He has probably already spoken to the managers. He could probably earn three or four times his Southampton money at Liverpool or Chelsea, so why wouldn't you want to go and play for a better club?

"I don't see any way Virgil van Dijk is a Southampton player once this window closes."

Speaking on Sky Sports' new show The Debate , Redknapp added the pull of Jurgen Klopp will see van Dijk opt for Merseyside over London.

The player had opted to join Liverpool earlier in the summer, which led to Southampton threatening to report the alleged illegal approach to the Premier League.

"It's a difficult one. There's the pull of London, for a lot of players that's a big thing,” Redknapp added.

"But from what I hear Jurgen Klopp is a really big pull for him. He wants to play for Klopp and Liverpool need a centre-back desperately.

“Chelsea's need is not as strong and I think he will go to Liverpool.

"But I'm also surprised Manchester City have not gone for him. They must really feel Vincent Kompany can last the season.”