Premier League transfer news: Hazard to Dortmund opens door for Pulisic to Chelsea, Madrid to let Bale go to bring dream manager and more - December 25, 2018

#3 Van Dijk was rejected

Too nonchalant for Arsenal

To think that one of the best defenders in the world currently was actually rejected by both Arsenal and Liverpool before he finally made it to the Merseyside as the most expensive defender of all time is somewhat baffling.

But this is exactly what happened, according to former Celtic assistant manager John Collins. Apparently, he asked then Liverpool assistant manager Gary McAllister to sign Van Dijk from Celtic but then manager Brendan Rodgers didn’t rate him highly.

"Gary McAllister was the assistant to Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool and I told him I hope you’re going to come and take Virgil," Collins was quoted as saying. "But Brendan didn’t fancy him and didn’t think he was better than what he already had."

He then revealed as to why Arsenal didn’t sign him when they also had the chance: "Arsenal’s chief scout [Steve Rowley] thought he was too nonchalant.”