Chelsea are set to provide Liverpool with stern competition in the race to sign Southampton centre-back Virgil Van Dijk, according to The Times.
As per the Times, the Premier League champions are set to test the Saints’ resolve by offering £50M in exchange for the Netherlands international.
The Times believe that Antonio Conte has been keen to add Van Dijk to his ranks since January, but has had to convince the Chelsea board to lodge a concrete offer for him.
It is claimed in the Times’ report that the Blues are hoping that Southampton’s frosty relationship with Liverpool, Chelsea’s main competitor for Van Dijk, will give them the edge in the race to secure his signature.
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League in recent seasons, and despite there being no dire need for reinforcements in that area in Conte’s squad, there is no doubt that he would improve our side.