VIRGIL van Dijk has hinted that he might push for a move away from Saints in the January transfer window.

The Dutchman tried to leave St Mary's in the summer, handing in a transfer request with Liverpool said to be his preferred destination.

But Saints stood firm and refused to sell, with Van Dijk, who was told to train alone while his future was resolved, re-integrated back in to Mauricio Pellegrino’s first team after the closure of the transfer window.

However, it seems a departure is still very much on the central defender's mind.

"Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what's possible," he’s reported to have told Fox Sports in the Netherlands.

The 26-year-old made his first start since January 22 on Saturday in the 2-1 defeat at Stoke City in the Premier League.

He made his first appearance of the campaign as a late substitute against Crystal Palace, and played two games for the club’s under-23s as he worked his way back to full match sharpness.

While the Netherlands international admitted he may once again agitate for a switch from St Mary’s, he insists he is fully focused on playing for Saints, at least for now.

"I wanted to go one step up, but eventually Southampton did not want to let me go," he said.

"You're a professional, so now I'll give everything to the club."