West Ham have pulled out of the race to sign highly-rated Netherlands international defender Virgil van Dijk, reports the Evening Chronicle.
Fellow Premier League sides Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton have also reportedly ended their interest in signing the Dutchman, leaving Sunderland as the sole team still keen on bringing the player south of the border into the Premier League.
The 23-year-old joined the Scottish champions in 2013, and has won two consecutive league titles since making the move from Groningen, and it was reported last week that the Hammers were considering a move for the player, but will now settle for what they have at the club already, after David Gold tipped both Reece Burke and Reece Oxford for first-team roles this season.
Perhaps the Hammers will continue to consider a move for van Dijk’s international team-mate, Ron Vlaar. It’s claimed that West Ham are considering a move for the free agent centre-half, who has an offer on the table from former club Aston villa to stay on, but has stated that he believed he can play at the next level.
“I have in consideration [a new deal], I think about it. I want to maximize my career and think I can go a step higher. I will look at it [before deciding].” he told Voetbal International.
