Confirmed: Liverpool to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton on January 1

Liverpool will sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton when the transfer window opens on January 1, the Merseyside club have confirmed.

Reports emerged on Wednesday afternoon that the Reds had agreed a £75m fee with Southampton for the Netherlands international, and that a move would be confirmed pending the agreement of personal terms and the completion of a medical.

Slightly later it was revealed Liverpool wanted the deal completed before the day was through, to prevent either Manchester City or Chelsea - both credited as having an interest in Van Dijk - swooping in and hijacking the transfer.

The fee is said to be worth £70m upfront, rising to £75m with addons, as Southampton wanted a large sum they can reinvest in January. Mauricio Pellegrino has plans to sign a forward to improve the Saints' fortunes in front of goal.

Following the announcement, Van Dijk released a message on his Twitter account saying: "Delighted and honoured to have agreed to become a Liverpool FC player.

"Today is a proud day for me and my family as I join one of the biggest clubs in world football.

"I can't wait to pull on the famous red shirt for the first time in front of the Kop and will give everything I have to try and help this great club achieve something special in the years to come."

Van Dijk is the latest player to transfer from St Mary's to Anfield, following the likes of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Sadio Mane and Nathaniel Clyne.