Transfer News: Liverpool & Chelsea Handed Boost In Pursuit Of £60m Star

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on the future of Virgil van Dijk…

Liverpool and Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Virgil van Dijk as Southampton have identified Lazio centre-back Wesley Hoedt as his potential replacement, according to the Daily Mail.

Van Dijk’s future at St Mary’s has been the subject of much speculation all summer as he initially attracted interest from a whole host of top clubs after developing in to one of the best defenders in the Premier League following his move from Celtic in 2015.

The Dutch international looked to be heading to Liverpool but the Reds were forced to issue a public apology and vow to end their pursuit after Southampton complained to the Premier League about their illegal approach.

That opened the door for Chelsea as the Mirror reported late last month that the Blues were plotting a £60m bid for van Dijk after Antonio Conte had made him one of his prime transfer targets.

Chelsea have already been extremely busy in the market but Conte knows he needs to further strengthen his squad ahead of their return to the Champions League and van Dijk would be a sensational addition.

However, they may find it difficult to lure the centre-back to west London and it appears he still has his heart set on joining Liverpool as the Daily Mail say van Dijk remains keen on playing under Jurgen Klopp and has made his feelings clear to Southampton.

The 26-year-old has been training on his own away from the rest of the first team squad in recent weeks since asking to leave the club but there are rumours boss Mauricio Pellegrino is hoping to persuade van Dijk to rejoin the rest of the group this week.

But it seems the player is intent on forcing a move this summer and the Daily Mail suggest that Southampton are now preparing for his departure after lining-up Hoedt as his potential replacement.

The newspaper says the south coast club are weighing-up a £12m bid for the Lazio man and it could pave the way for van Dijk’s £60m sale if they are successful in agreeing a deal for the 23-year-old.

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop but it would make sense for Southampton to have a replacement lined-up before agreeing to do business for van Dijk and I think it’s only a matter of time before he leaves.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

Liverpool are the clear favourites to secure his signature despite previously claiming they had ended their interest in the centre-back but Chelsea are still hovering around so we shouldn’t discount the champions just yet.