Chelsea readying a £50m bid for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool look set to miss out.
The Saints are yet to receive any bids for the 26-year-old after he handed in a transfer request at St Mary’s earlier this month, but that could soon change as the Blues line one up.
Virgil van Dijk of Southampton celebrates as he scores their first goal against Tottenham Hotspur.
Van Dijk was left out of his side’s opening day Premier League draw at home to Swansea City with his future yet to be decided and after seeing his own team lose 3-2 to Burnley, Antonio Conte wants the Dutchman to bolster his defensive options.
It is thought that a move to Anfield is the centre-back’s preferred option, but after the Reds were reported to the Premier League in June for alleged tapping up, it seems they may have ruined their chances of completing a deal.
That would be a huge blow for manager Jurgen Klopp, who watched on Saturday as defensive frailties again exposed the Merseysiders as they drew 3-3 at Watford.
Recruitment at the back should certainly be a priority for the German, but when it comes to Van Dijk both Conte and technical director Michael Emenalo believe they can tempt the Netherlands international to Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte, manager of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match against Burnley.
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