Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk is on a list of potential summer transfer targets for Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
According to the Evening Standard, Van Dijk is one of Chelsea’s options for the next transfer window if they fail to bring in number one target Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
Koulibaly is said to be at the top of Conte’s transfer wish list as he looks to add to his central defensive options at the end of the season but he has a list of potential backup options ready too.
Despite Chelsea having the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League this season – they have conceded just 20 league goals, a stat only Tottenham can match – Conte is looking for additions and with John Terry’s Blues career all but over, it makes sense that defenders are being lined up.
Napoli have set a £60m price tag on Koulibaly, with Chelsea looking at Van Dijk and Roma’s Antonio Rudiger as possible alternatives.
Van Dijk is currently out injured with an ankle injury and Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger recently refused to entertain the idea of a summer fire sale, but Chelsea might test their resolve if Koulibaly is unattainable.
