Neil Warnock was known for his ability to play the transfer market as a manager, but he missed out on one deal that could have been one of the biggest bargains of his career.
Speaking on William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, the 75-year-old recalled a deal he almost got done whilst he was manager of Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Warnock revealed that he could have signed future Premier League winner and £75 million defender Virgil van Dijk for a knockdown price, but the Eagles didn't think the Dutchman was good enough.
He said: “Van Dijk was at Celtic and I nearly signed him to Crystal Palace for £3 million. When he was there I sent someone up to watch him play and he came back and said ‘he’ll do for us!’.
“I said to Steve Parish, who’s still at Palace now, and the stats man that I want to sign Van Dijk for three million pounds. Parish, as with many of the other chairmen, rely on the stats man and he was saying that he didn’t think he was quick enough for the Premier League.
“I told them why he doesn’t look quick, he reads the game so well that he doesn’t have to break a sweat! I told them that if he was pushed in the Premier League, he’d sprint. We didn’t end up signing him and Southampton picked him up for four or five million and ended up getting 70 odd million for him when Liverpool signed him.
“I remember when we played Liverpool next, Van Dijk came up to me and said, ‘you nearly signed me!’ – he knew all about it. I said to him, ‘they told me you weren’t quick, you’re not really quick, are you?’ – and then I ran away from him!”
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