Southampton will reportedly demand a world-record fee of £70m for Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window.

The Saints appear to be resigned to losing the Dutch defender once the window reopens next month after he was once again left out of the squad to face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley this afternoon.

A whole host of teams are understood to hold an interest in Van Dijk, with Liverpool still considered to be the frontrunners having been the defender's preferred option during the summer.

Manchester City and Chelsea are expected to provide competition for his signature, but The Mirror reports that Southampton will not consider bids of any less than £70m.

Such a fee would make Van Dijk the most expensive defender in football history, surpassing the £50m Manchester City paid for Kyle Walker during the summer window.

Van Dijk has made 12 Premier League appearances for Southampton this season but has been left out of his side's last two matches.