Virgil van Dijk has proved himself to be one of the best defenders currently in the premier league, and as expected, different premier league clubs had been trying to lure him to their own sides.
Two teams that are heavily linked with the Southampton defender are Manchester United and Liverpool, but Chelsea too, despite having some of the best defenders already, are still interested in Van Dijk.
In the race to get his signature, Chelsea are trying to up their game, and perhaps will be the ones to eventually get him. New reports is that the Stamford Bridge club could use one of their players – Nathan Ake, as a bargaining tool to sign van Dijk from Southampton in the fast approaching summer.
Chelsea’s Italian manager Antonio Conte, is determined to add more strength to his squad at the end of the season, with defensive targets already being drawn up by him.
The Dutch defender has been heavily linked with a move away from the Southampton during the last two transfer windows, and could eventually leave in the upcoming one.
22-year-old Nathan Ake has failed to make an impact at Chelsea since returning to the Stamford Bridge from his loan spell at Bournemouth in January, but has endured a frustrating spell.
And The Sun claimed van Dijk’s potential move to Chelsea could see Ake head in the other direction to the Saints.
Chelsea fought hard to get the full points at Stoke after Cahill managed to score a late goal that saw them get the 2-1 victory over the host on Saturday afternoon.
As everyone goes into the international break, Chelsea remains 10 points above second placed Tottenham.
