Premier League: Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has 'no regrets' over failed transfer, still open to a move

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk insists he has “no regrets” over his failed transfer request and is still open to a potential move from St Mary’s in January. [caption id=“attachment_3930857” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk. Reuters[/caption] Van Dijk was left out of Southampton’s first-team squad by manager Mauricio Pellegrino after the Dutch international handed in a transfer request following interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in the transfer window. The 26-year-old centre back returned to action, for the first time since January, against Palace last month but he has again cast doubt over his long-term future at the club. “Well, a lot happened,“ Van Dijk told Fox Sports. “Learned a lot, heard a lot, seen a lot and all that. Got some life experience. “I‘m not sorry for anything. Of course, I wanted to make a step up, but Southampton did not want me to sell me, but you’re a professional, so now I’ll give everything to the club. “Halfway through the season, maybe we can see what’s possible.” Van Dijk is currently with the Netherlands squad, who are in a tough qualification battle for a spot in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. The Netherlands are third in Group A, three points behind second-placed Sweden and four behind group leaders France ahead of their matches against Belarus and the Swedes. The group winners automatically qualify for the finals, with the second-placed teams entering playoffs.