Chelsea are ready to launch a stunning £50m move to beat Liverpool to Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk, reports The Daily Mirror.
Van Dijk was not considered by Southampton on the opening weekend of the Premier League after handing in a transfer request in a bid to force through a move away from Saint Mary’s.
The Netherlands international wants to join Liverpool this summer but Chelsea are hoping to take advantage of the fact Southampton do not want to entertain any business with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool were in pole position to sign the 26-year-old this summer but any deal collapsed after Southampton discovered their Premier League rivals had approached their captain without their permission.
Klopp’s side were forced to apologise and stand down in their pursuit, which has left Van Dijk’s future up in the air.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has demanded more signings in the wake of their shock 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley on Saturday and the Premier League champions are ready to step up their interest in Van Dijk with a £50m offer.
Virgil van Dijk: Won more aerial duels per game (4.7) than any other Premier League defender last season pic.twitter.com/PEYFYrRZOS
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 7, 2017
Southampton were looking to command in the region of £60m for Van Dijk earlier this summer, so it remains to be seen whether Chelsea’s offer would be enough and if the Saints skipper is willing to compromise on his desire to join Liverpool.
In the last two seasons Van Dijk has won more WhoScored Man of the Match awards than any other defender in Europe’s top five leagues (10).
