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Arsenal and Liverpool both refused to take a punt on Virgil van Dijk when he was available for £12million, according to Scotland legend John Collins.

Centre back van Dijk was watched by every team in the Premier League in 2015 before Southampton splashed £13m.

Two and a half years later the Dutchman moved from the south coast up to the Reds for £75m - where he has since been rated among the best defenders in the Premier League.

But the Merseyside club could have grab van Dijk at a cheaper price but Brendan Rodgers decided he already had better options - with Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure, Steven Caulker and Martin Skrtel already at the club.

(Image: Daily Record)

Arsenal also turned down the opportunity to sign van Dijk, with the opinion coming through that he was "too nonchalant".

Collins, who was Celtic's assistant coach at the time, told beIN Sports: "Arsenal's chief scout thought he was a little be too nonchalant and maybe that was part of his game but he ticks so many other boxes; pace, power, balance, distribution, good in the air.

"He is a quality player.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: EMPICS Sport)

"Garry Mac was Brendan's assistant and he mentioned to Brendan but he said he wasn't sure he was better than what they already had.

"He would have cost £12million.

"The worry was that he was showing the quality against Scottish players and the question was whether he could do it against top quality English defenders.

"He was really shocked none of the big boys came in for him, he could have made any other teams in Europe better."