Report: Chelsea to lodge £50m bid to beat Liverpool to top target Van Dijk

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Chelsea are hoping to beat Liverpool to Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk.

Chelsea are set to make a £50 million offer for Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk, according to The Times.

It is claimed manager Antonio Conte has persuaded the Chelsea board to make a big bid for the wantaway Dutchman.

Van Dijk is a top target for Chelsea’s aspiring title rivals Liverpool, even though they publicly withdrew their interest in June amid a tapping up storm.

The Mail reported three days ago that Liverpool were set to step up their pursuit of the centre-back, who has reportedly told Southampton he wants to move to Anfield.

Van Dijk is keen on linking up with Jurgen Klopp, but The Times reports Chelsea are hopeful of tying up a deal before the Premier League season kicks off next weekend.

Van Dijk has been training on his own and did not travel on Southampton’s recent pre-season trip.

Chelsea’s offer could lead to Liverpool re-assessing their own public stance, and The Times reported that the Reds could return with a bid later in the transfer window.

They will have to hope Chelsea are not successful in persuading Southampton to sell.

The Saints though are already looking at replacements, with Van Dijk’s strike meaning they are without a key central defender, and the money could be reinvested smartly.