Man City rejected chance to sign Virgil van Dijk in 2015 stating he wasn't 'good enough'

Defending Premier League champions Manchester City missed out on opportunity to sign centre-back Virgil van Dijk, former Celtic manr Ronny Deila revealed. Van Dijk joined Liverpool in 2018 and has gone on to become a mainstay in Liverpool's quest for glory in Europe and in England.

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Man City missed out on chance to sign Van Dijk

While speaking to Si Ferry’s Open Goal, former Celtic manr Ronny Deila claimed that he advised Man City to move for Van Dijk before he left Celtic. Van Dijk was signed by Premier League side Southampton in 2015 for a reported fee of £13 million ($15 million) when Ronald Koeman was managing Saints. After, two and a half years at Southampton, Man City tried to sign defender, with Pep Guardiola eyeing  Dutch centre-back to replace outgoing Vincent Kompany. However, this time around, Van Dijk agreed to a £75 million ($91 million) move to Liverpool instead. 

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Man City demanded to see Van Dijk's displays in Europe

Ronny Deila claimed that he advised Man City to sign Van Dijk when was manr of Celtic. Man City, in turn, asked tactician to show m Van Dijk's best performance in Europe in order for m to get an idea of his playing style. However, Deila could t comment furr, citing reason that defender did t have a great display for his team when y played in Europe. He was very dominant in Scotland, but was sent off during a game against Inter Milan, said Deila.  

Diella claimed that had Van Dijk played entire game against Inter Milan, Man City would have signed him. New York City manr furr asserted that major European giants feel that quality of football is extremely low in Scotland, which is why y do t risk signing emerging youngsters. Such youngsters need to perform in Europe to invite interest from clubs, something which Van Dijk failed to do during his time in Scotland.

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Van Dijk on course to win Premier League title 

Since his arrival at Liverpool, Van Dijk has established himself as one of best players in Premier League. He has played in two Champions League finals while winning previous title against Tottenham in his first complete season with Reds. With Van Dijk forming spine of Liverpool defence, Liverpool are on verge of clinching ir first-ever Premier League title this season. 

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