Southampton midfielder Nathan Redmond says their cash power helped keep Virgil van Dijk away from Liverpool over the summer.

Liverpool were desperate to sign the £60m rated centre-back, although cooled their interest amid tapping up accusations.

“It's how the Premier League is these days," Redmond told the Daily Star.

“Players had the power a couple of seasons ago.

“But now there's more money from Sky and there's more money for Premier League clubs every season.

“The more money you get, the stronger you are financially and then you're able to keep hold of your best players.

“I think you saw that with Virgil and the likes of Philippe Coutinho at Liverpool as well.

“There's a lot players like that and it's happening everywhere."