Chelsea keen on controversial Liverpool target

According to the Mirror, Champions Chelsea remain interested in signing Virgil van Dijk, and will fend off League rivals Manchester City for the Southampton star’s signature.

The West Londoners are believed to still be willing on landing the defender, who submitted a transfer request last summer on the south coast. The exciting Dutchman wanted to seal a transfer to Liverpool but saw his intent turned down by a resistant Southampton board.

However, it looks like that interest in the defender has not reduced, with all of the Blues, Liverpool and Manchester City still all recently reported being interested in him.

Van Dijk was left out by manager Mauricio Pellegrino for the Saints’ match against the Blues on Saturday afternoon and the boss refused to promises as to whose payroll the Dutch international would be when January ends.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte hinted towards his side, among other top teams in England, rivalling Manchester City in their pursuit for Van Dijk.

The Blues are undoubtedly well stocked with defensive players but Van Dijk is identified as a long-standing transfer target for the West London club. The former Juventus manager is seemingly a big fan of the powerful defender, who is thought to still be interested in leaving St Mary’s.