Barcelona enquired about the possibility of signing Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool.

The Dutch defender moved to Anfield in a £75m deal in January 2018 and has gone on to establish himself as world class.

Van Dijk was influential in the Reds’ Champions League success last term and has now emerged as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.

His performances last season has seen Barca try to bring him to Spain.

But the Spanish champions’ hopes of landing the Dutchman appear slim to none.

In his weekly column, Mirror’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross, wrote: “Do not expect it to happen for a moment, but Barcelona made enquiries about whether Virgil van Dijk could be tempted to leave Liverpool.

“They were quickly given short shrift by the Dutch defender’s representatives. They did not bother taking it further.”