Chelsea are ready to make a bid for Virgil van Dijk according to reports.
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool and is very unsettled at the South Coast club. He has been forced to train on his own by new Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino, and has not featured in any of the clubs preseason games or their opening Premier League game.
The Premier League champions have also had a long standing interest in the Southampton defender, who last week submitted a transfer request in a bid to force a move.
According to the Daily Star, Chelsea are now prepared to submit a £50m bid for he former Celtic defender in a bid to beat Jurgen Klopp to his signature.
Van Dijk released a statement last week stating his desire to leave St Mary’s this summer in a bid to play Champions League football once again.
Chelsea have been desperate to improve their defensive ranks after letting John Terry leave for free and Kurt Zouma leave on loan, while only signing Antonio Rudiger.