Liverpool tried and failed to sign Van Dijk last summer, being forced to apologise to Southampton for an illegal approach.

But the Reds are still keen to land the Holland international in the January transfer window.

And The Sunday World say Liverpool have made a breakthrough with their pursuit of Van Dijk and have finally been given the green light to negotiate a deal for the player.

The deal would make the 26-year-old Liverpool's record signing, smashing the £36m paid for Mohamed Salah last summer and the £48m set to go on Naby Keita this summer.

Van Dijk was left out of the Southampton squad for their 1-1 draw with Huddersfield today, the second straight game he has missed.