The story of how Brighton almost signed Van Dijk

At 28 years old, Virgil van Dijk has lifted the Champions League trophy, the best achievement in European club football. After a great time at Celtic were his performances were almost flawless, the defender got even better at Southampton until Liverpool made him one of the most expensive defenders in history 18 months ago. 

Although everyone was laughing at the money that was spent on his transfer, time has proved Liverpool right and has confirmed what the Reds thought about him. He is strong in the air, quick and has a good understanding of the game. 

The truth is that the man of the match on Saturday is one of the best players at this moment in time and there is even talk of him winning the Ballon D'or, which seems like only Leo Messi can stop him winning.

Gustavo Poyet, who coached Brighton in the past, admitted on 'Movistar Liga de Campeones' that the defender's past could have been very different. The Uruguayan tried to sign him in 2012 when he was the Brighton manager, but the team, who were not in the top flight at that time, could not afford three million euros. 

"I went to see him (Van Dijk) in Groningen when I was at Brighton. And he was playing like a father with his kids, with amazing skill," recalled Poyet. He revealed that he saw his enormous potential at that moment. 

Unfortunately, the Seagulls were unable to sign him: "We could not sign him because we could not spend three million on a defender. In the end, he went to Celtic." Van Dijk from then on just kept growing and growing and last Saturday, he became a Champions League winner.