Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino admits defender Virgil van Dijk could still leave the club during the January transfer window.

The Dutch international handed in a transfer request during the summer to try and force through a move to Liverpool, but no move materialised and he ultimately remained at St Mary’s.

However, speculation linking the 26-year-old with a future move to Anfield has never completely disappeared and Pellegrino has conceded the centre back could be sold during the January transfer window, if the Saints receive a substantial bid.

“I don’t know, I can’t control the market,” Pellegrino said.

“You never know because the market when we talk about money everybody has got a price.”

Despiete the speculation surrounding his future, Pellegrino insists that van Dijk remains fully committed to the Southampton cause, while the Saints are also pondering who they would like to sign during the New Year.

“Right now Virgil is thinking about us but a lot of players are thinking about other clubs, we are thinking about maybe other players to try and bring here next year,” Pellegrino added.

“Virgil is training well, thinking about our club.”

Southampton are next in action when they visit Liverpool on Saturday and they are priced at 8.00 to secure a victory from that match, while the Reds are available at 1.40 and the draw is on offer at 4.75.