Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino hasn't given up on keeping Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutch centre half submitted a formal transfer request on Monday having insisted for weeks that he wants to leave the club.

Saints have stood firm and maintained their stance that he will not be sold.

Pellegrino said: “My reaction is the same that I said three weeks ago. We are expecting him to come back to train with us because we need the player, we need all of them.

“Hopefully he can change his point of view, because we need the player. Virgil is an important player and we need him focusing on our club."

He added: “The club was clear from the beginning with the player.

“We cannot control every single situation. We can decide our dynamic inside this club, and Virgil is part of our club. Good contract.

“Now we are waiting."