Everton will be in the race for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk this summer, but they are not prepared to meet the club's £55m valuation, reports the Liverpool Echo.

What's the story?

Plenty of Premier League clubs have been named in the media as potential admirers of the Southampton defender this season.

Before the centre-back suffered a damaging ankle injury in January, he was widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the top flight.

Despite the fact that Van Dijk is not expected to be fit until next season, the Dutchman is likely to be in demand this summer.

The Liverpool Echo reports that Everton manager Ronald Koeman will try to convince his former club to part with the 25-year-old, but the club are unwilling to pay in the region of £50m.

The local publication does claim, though, that Van Dijk's switch to the same company that represents Koeman (the Wasserman Group) could work in Everton's favour.

Is a deal likely to happen?

Given that a large number of clubs are expected to be in the hunt for Van Dijk at the end of the season, Southampton sit in a strong position in terms of negotiations.

The centre-back is still under contract, so they can demand a high fee, and according to the Liverpool Echo that figure is £55m - as previously mentioned.

Everton do have more funds behind them following the arrival of businessman Farhad Moshiri to the club, but they will struggle to match the financial weight of Chelsea or Manchester City, if the pair come calling for Van Dijk.

Should the defender decide to leave St Mary's, he is likely to want a step up, which would mean competing in the Champions League, which only the division's heavyweights will be able to offer.

An advantage that Everton have is that Van Dijk has worked under Koeman before, as he was the man that signed the defender from Celtic in 2015.

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