Chelsea Transfer News: Virgil Van Dijk, Andreas Christensen, Fresh Blues Rumours

Chelsea have seemingly beaten Arsenal and their other rivals to the capture of Southampton's Virgil van Dijk this summer by offering Andreas Christensen in exchange. 

According to an exclusive from The Sun's Neil Ashton, the offer of Christensen has put the Blues at the front of the queue to sign him, despite Arsenal offering him more than £150,000 per week.

The Dutchman "prefers a move to Stamford Bridge" over the Emirates Stadium, handing Chelsea the initiative in their pursuit of the centre-back.

Chelsea will lose John Terry in the summer, and while only Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have boasted better defensive records in the Premier League this season, the Blues' 3-0 win over Everton was their first clean sheet in the league since January, a run spanning 11 games.

Van Dijk has missed the second half of the campaign through injury but has established himself among the division's most reliable defenders and so would make an excellent candidate to strengthen Chelsea's back three.

The Blues should perhaps not be in such a rush to usher Christensen out the door, though.

The Dane only turned 21 in April and is coming to the end of a highly successful two-year loan spell with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Squawka Football rated him among Chelsea's top-performing loanees this year:

It's easy to see why. Despite his age, the centre-back is already an assured defender who offers a calming and composed presence at the back.

His discipline is excellent, too—he only recently received his first booking of the campaign, per Gladbach's Twitter feed:

Here's a look at his numbers compared with Van Dijk's this season:

	Van Dijk	Christensen
Apps	21	27
Minutes	1,852	2,421
Goals	1	2
Tackles	30	32
Aerial Duels	96	68
Interceptions	56	65
Clearances	140	112
Blocks	14	23
Pass Completion	84%	91%

Van Dijk is already the finished article whereas Christensen still has room to grow, but the youngster has potential in abundance.

Christensen is worth keeping, but if Chelsea are intent on signing Van Dijk then he would soften the blow for the Saints in exchange, and a deal would probably be much more easily struck.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas is determined to stay put at Stamford Bridge and will turn down a £30 million move to AC Milan this summer despite the Blues' reported interest in signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, according to Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard.

Bakayoko's arrival would put another obstacle in the way of the Spaniard, who is already struggling for game time behind N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.

The midfielder has made the most of his limited appearances this season, though, per Squawka Football:

Milan may soon become an attractive destination for top players once again after being taken over by Chinese investors, but Fabregas and his family are content in London.

Fabregas might also get more game time with the Blues in the UEFA Champions League again next year.

As such, the Rossoneri might have to look elsewhere for summer signings.