West Brom's Near Miss: Tony Pulis Reveals How Close They Were to Snatching Van Dijk Before Liverpool Deal
Tony Pulis, the former West Bromwich Albion manager, has dropped a bombshell revelation: West Brom were incredibly close to signing Virgil van Dijk before the Dutch defender completed his record-breaking £75 million move to Liverpool in January 2018. The story, now a fascinating footnote in Premier League history, highlights a pivotal moment that could have dramatically altered the landscape of English football.
Speaking recently, Pulis detailed the intricate negotiations and the frustrating circumstances that ultimately led to Liverpool winning the race. He explained that West Brom had identified Van Dijk as a key target to bolster their defence and believed he would be the perfect fit for their system. “We were very close to getting Virgil,” Pulis stated. “We had him lined up, we were talking to Southampton, and everything was progressing quite nicely.”
However, the deal faltered due to a combination of factors. Pulis alluded to financial constraints at West Brom at the time, suggesting they couldn't match Liverpool's ultimately irresistible offer. He also hinted at potential complications with the player’s representatives and the sheer scale of the transfer fee involved. “Sometimes these deals just fall through, don't they? It's a shame, because he would have been a fantastic addition to West Brom,” Pulis reflected.
The impact of Van Dijk’s arrival at Liverpool was immediate and transformative. His commanding presence in defence, aerial ability, and composure on the ball significantly strengthened Liverpool's backline, contributing significantly to their Champions League triumph that same season and, later, their Premier League title win in 2020. It’s easy to imagine how West Brom’s trajectory might have differed had they secured his signature.
Pulis’s revelation has sparked considerable debate among West Brom fans, who wonder what could have been. The thought of Van Dijk partnering with the likes of Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson is a tantalizing prospect. While West Brom ultimately missed out on a truly world-class talent, Pulis's account provides a captivating glimpse into the complexities of football transfers and the fine margins that separate success from near misses.
The story serves as a reminder that even for established Premier League clubs, securing top targets can be a precarious process, often dependent on a confluence of factors beyond a club's direct control. And for West Brom fans, it’s a bittersweet reminder of a player who could have changed their club's fortunes forever.