Florin Gardos injury could see Southampton press on with Virgil van Dijk transfer

Florin Gardos' nasty knee injury, which could see him out of action for up to seven months, could see Southampton act quick to make a move for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk.

According to various reports, Saints were already interested in signing the Scottish champions' Dutch defender following on from former Southampton loanee Toby Alderweireld opting to join Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the Saints.

Gardos had hoped he would get a proper run of first team action following Alderweireld's decision, so it's a big shame to not see how the Romanian international would fare with some extensive exposure to the Premier League.

The unsettled van Dijk appears keen to move to the Premier League and there are plenty of suitors - including Everton who look likely to lose young English centre-half John Stones to Chelsea.

However, it is thought van Dijk is keen for the move to Ronald Koeman's Southampton with all of the Dutch connections the club currently hold.