Liverpool’s record signing Virgil van Dijk set to be named Netherlands captain

Liverpool’s £75million man Virgil van Dijk is in line to become the Netherlands’ new captain.

Former Everton boss Ronald Koeman, who recently became the national team manager, worked with Van Dijk at Southampton and has suggested that he is the leading candidate to take the armband.

Koeman tried to sign the centre-back when he was in charge of Everton and the pair have remained close since their Saints days.

Bayern Munich forward Arjen Robben, previously the Oranje captain, retired in October and it would be a major surprise if Van Dijk didn’t take the armband.

The Liverpool star - the most expensive defender in the history of football - is set to skipper the side for the friendly matches against England and Portugal this month.

His club manager Jurgen Klopp recently described the 26-year-old as a ‘leader’ and a ‘warrior’ and he is widely regarded as a future captain for the Reds.