SAINTS are to make a move for long term defensive target Virgil van Dijk after Celtic's Champions League qualifier.

A report in The Guardian suggests that despite the Glasgow club being adamant that they would not be selling the Dutch international before the qualifier, Southampton will attempt to lure him south.

van Dijk has been a long term target for Saints, who are still looking for one more centre-half to join Jose Fonte, Stephen Caulker and Maya Yoshida, with Florin Gardos out injured and Toby Alderweireld having opted to join Spurs over a St Mary's move.

It will cost Southampton £10m to convince Celtic to sell the player, who wants to move to the Premier League, according to reports.

The player would be eligible to play for Saints in the Europa League group stage - should Saints get past FC Midtjylland on Thursday - despite having played in the Champions League qualifiers for Celtic.