Chelsea are hopeful that they can beat Liverpool to the signing of Virgil van Dijk with a £50 million bid for the centre-back, according to reports.
The Netherlands international has been one of Jurgen Klopp’s priority targets for the summer window, although Liverpool were forced to issue a public apology to Southamtpon earlier this summer after details of the German’s persistent pursuit of the player were made public.
The Times now claims that Chelsea are looking to capitalise on Liverpool’s poor relationship with Southampton and are planning a formal offer for the defender.
It’s also claimed that the Premier League champions are ‘optimistic’ that a deal could be completed before their opening game of the season against Burnley on August 12.
Van Dijk has already informed Southampton that he wants to leave before the end of the window, and it’s claimed that Anfield is his preferred destination.
The Dutchman has been forced to train on his own by Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino and will not feature in the club’s opening Premier League fixture at home to Swansea City in eight days’ time.
When asked if Southampton’s stance will change, Pellegrino said this week: ‘We continue in the same way.
‘The situation is the boy is aside of the team because he doesn’t want to play for us.’
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