The Premier League will ask Liverpool for their observations after they were asked by Southampton to investigate an illegal approach for Virgil Van Dijk.

Southampton are incandescent about Liverpool’s conduct in their pursuit of Van Dijk and contacted the governing body yesterday to air their greivances.

Liverpool have made Van Dijk their top transfer target this summer and are ready to smash the world record transfer fee for a defender to bring him to Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk has been targeted by Liverpool for a £60million transfer from Southampton

Southampton have asked the Premier League to investigate an approach to their defender

Sportsmail's mocked-up image of how he'll look in a Liverpool shirt (left) and in Saints action

VAN DIJK 2016-17 STATS Appearances: 21 Goals: 1 Tackles: 39 Interceptions: 54 Blocks: 14 Clearances: 143 Clean sheets: 17 Premier League stats only Advertisement

Van Dijk is believed to want to work with Jurgen Klopp and that has prompted him to ignore the advances of Manchester City and Chelsea, both of whom who have been pursuing the Holland international.

Liverpool have refused to comment any issue about Van Dijk but the Premier League last night issued a brief statement to confirm they had been contacted by Southampton.

A spokesman said: ‘Southampton have raised some concerns and we are in turn raising them with Liverpool.’

Premier League rules stipulate that a club can only approach a target if they have the the written consent of the selling club or, alternatively, if the player is out of contract or his contract is about to expire.

There is no suggestion at this stage that Liverpool face any kind of censure, this is the start of a process to see whether the Premier League need to begin an investigation.

Van Dijk made it clear he wants to play for Liverpool's charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool have yet to make contact with Southampton in terms of a lodging an official bid for Van Dijk. It emerged on Monday, however, that he wants to join them and it prompted a furious reaction at St Mary’s; Southampton believe believe Liverpool have unsettled the 25-year-old.

The two clubs have done frequent business over the last three years, with Liverpool buying five players from Southampton for a combined total of more than £90million.

It is inevitable now, though, that negotiations will be strained with Southampton raging.

Ralph Krueger, Southampton’s Chairman, said last month: ‘We do not need to sell any player for the first time since I've been here. Can we (turn down a £60million bid)? Yes.’

Van Dijk holds off Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge during their EFL Cup semi-final clash in January

Southampton have taken the stance all summer that Van Dijk is not for sale, even though his future has been the subject of intense speculation.

City indicated they would not be prepared to pay more than £45million for Van Dijk, who has not played since January, while Chelsea’s need to sign a central defender is not pressing given the form of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill.

Van Dijk has five years remaining on the six-year deal he signed 11 months ago and could be forced to stay on the South Coast, as was the case with Morgan Schneiderlin in 2014 when he was wanted by Arsenal and Manchester United.

The reality, however, is that he has set his heart on playing for Liverpool but he will not be offered an easy route to the north west.

Having valued Van Dijk at £50million, it is likely to take a figure closer to £60million to secure his release, particularly as Celtic - his former club - are due a 10 per cent sell-on fee.