Chelsea are set to re-enter the race to sign Southampton’s rebel defender Virgil van Dijk. The Daily Mirror claims that the 26-year-old defender has become a target once again for the London side and that they are ready to bid around £50million for the Dutchman.
The Blues had actually backed out of a deal for the former Celtic defender as Van Dijk had preferred a move to Anfield but things are never as simple as that in football. We were linked big-time for the defender but Southampton reported us to the Premier League and we had to publish an apology and state that our pursuit of Van Dijk was over.
Things took another dramatic turn as the defender submitted a transfer request to the Saints management and he has been training on his own since then.
Southampton seem resigned to losing Van Dijk but Chelsea could be his destination as Antonio Conte still wants to improve his side, especially after that poor showing against Burnley in the first Premier League game of the season.
Even though the Italian signed Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma, Chelsea looked rather poor but then again, the same could be said about our defence at Vicarage Road where we conceded thrice. The last minute goal at Watford was a real kick in the gut and showed just why we need more steel in the team. We need someone who can organise the defence when dealing with set-pieces.
It is also being reported by Liverpool Echo that Klopp is willing to break the club transfer record once again this summer, to sign Van Dijk. But as days go by and as the transfer deadline day looms, the deal seems unlikely to happen.
What is a certainty is that Van Dijk will leave St. Mary’s, as he has burned all bridges at Southampton. What we need to do is just enter with a bid. However, we would only do that if the Saints clearly tell us that Van Dijk is up for sale.
Our transfer window is in shambles currently and unless we can bring in Van Dijk, at least, the season could become another average one soon.
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