Transfer Centre

Chelsea move closer to Virgil van Dijk transfer?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 23 June 2017

Chelsea reportedly move closer to signing Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk after allegedly deciding to cool their interest in Juventus's Leonardo Bonucci.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has reportedly decided to focus his efforts on trying to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

The Italian is known to be in the market for a new defender after the departure of John Terry, and Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci is another player who has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

However, according to Sky Italia, Conte has moved away from a potential reunion with the 30-year-old and is instead keen to bring in Netherlands international Van Dijk.

Earlier this month, Liverpool apologised for their conduct in a failed pursuit of Van Dijk, leaving Chelsea to battle it out with Manchester City for a player that the Saints insist is not for sale.

Nevertheless, it has been suggested that Chelsea are willing to pay at least £60m for the former Celtic man, leaving them ahead of City who allegedly will not meet that figure.

Van Dijk has made 55 appearances in the Premier League, but he missed the second half of the most recent campaign through injury.