Chelsea boss sends message to board concerning £70million season changer

Italian tactician Antonio Conte has sent a crystal clear message to Chelsea board over Manchester City’s likely transfer switch for Southampton center-half Virgil van Dijk.

The Netherlands international defender has shone for the Southampton, leading to a couple of news stories linking the Dutch with a transfer to a much bigger team during the summer.

Named among those was Premier League Champions Chelsea, whom the Daily Mirror claimed could be ready to offer about £50million for him, who looks ready to attract a lot of interest again this winter transfer window.

Recently, the Times linked Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City as likely interested clubs for Van Dijk this New Year, with the 26-year-old solid defender likely to cost about £70m.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has admitted he’s disturbed about Manchester City reinforcement with the signing of the Dutchman, and looks to have urged Chelsea hierarchy not to be beaten to the transfer of Virgil van Dijk, saying club sides have to take the chance to spend good money on major transfers.

Last Saturday, the defender was dropped to the substitute bench for Saints game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and after the match, Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino confirmed the defender could leave next month.