Alan Shearer has slammed the £75 million transfer that will bring Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool in January, claiming the defender is not worth that kind of fee.
The Reds were left celebrating on Wednesday as they announced that Southampton's star would be finally joining the club after a protracted transfer saga.
The Dutchman in turn becomes the most expensive defender in history, taking the record previously set by Manchester City with the arrival of Benjamin Mendy.
But Shearer, who began his professional career at Southampton before moving to Blackburn and later hometown club Newcastle United, believes Van Dijk is severely over-valued.
"No, he is not worth it at all. Southampton could have named any price they wanted and Liverpool were desperate," the former England international told BBC Sport.
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"As we have witnessed many times this season, Liverpool are in dire need of a centre-half. He is good, but £75m? No.
"He is a good central defender, but for £75m, no way. When Liverpool try and sign a goalkeeper — which they desperately need — they will find the same thing."
Shearer was not the only football personality to speak out, as social network Twitter was abuzz with reaction to the hefty signing.