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Liverpool transfer target Virgil van Dijk is set for showdown talks with Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino this week.

The Dutch defender was left out of Saints' pre-season trip to France last week after informing Pellegrino of his desire to join the Reds.

Van Dijk, who is under contract until 2022, was told he would have to train on his own until he accepted the club's stance that he's not for sale.

With the Southampton squad returning to their Staplewood training base, Pellegrino is hoping that the £60million-rated centre-back will back down so he can be reintegrated with his team-mates.

(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

However, if Van Dijk continues to push for a move then Saints will have a big decision to make with the new Premier League campaign less than a fortnight away.

Whatever happens, Van Dijk is going to be short of match fitness come the big kick-off. He hasn't played since suffering a season-ending ankle injury in January.

If Saints are prepared to listen to offers for Van Dijk then Liverpool are prepared to shatter their transfer record to take the 26-year-old to Anfield.