Southampton have reportedly placed a £45m asking price on Virgil van Dijk in an attempt to price interested parties out of a move for the defender.

The likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton have all been linked with moves for the 25-year-old following a string of impressive performances so far this season.

However, Southampton are reluctant to sell the former Celtic man in the middle of the season and have ramped up their demands in order to put those clubs off, according to Squawka.

Any deal is likely to be worth more than treble the £13m Southampton paid for him less than 18 months ago, but the likes of Man City and Chelsea could still test the Saints' resolve.

The player himself is thought to be open to a move away from St Mary's next month, particularly to a title-chasing side.

Fellow centre-back Jose Fonte has also been linked with a move away from the club in the January window having not been offered a new contract.