Chelsea Transfer News: Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Candreva Interest, Fresh Rumours

Chelsea will reportedly pledge another £150 million in transfer funds to manager Antonio Conte as he chases deals for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, Inter Milan winger Antonio Candreva and Juventus star Alex Sandro. 

According to Darren Lewis of the Mirror, Sandro and Van Dijk, the latter of whom remained home from Southampton's pre-season tour to France after asking to leave the club, would cost in excess of £60 million each.

The Times' Martyn Ziegler reported Conte will be handed the financial backing necessary "to match Manchester City's record spending" after Citizens boss Pep Guardiola already invested more than £200 million this summer.

However, Van Dijk stands to be the most difficult to obtain of those targets, and Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard wrote Southampton's hardline stance on his exit could see Chelsea's chase end early:

It isn't the first time the Saints have seen one of their biggest stars pursue an exit after impressing at St Mary's Stadium, and Liverpool, in particular, has proved to be a top destination for their prized assets.

New Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino faces a challenge to keep the defender after he missed the trip to France, and ex-Scotland international Pat Nevin told BBC 5 live Sport Van Dijk is destined for the departures list:

As for Brazil left-back Sandro, a move looks unlikely considering the Bianconeri have already sold one key defender this summer following Leonardo Bonucci's move to AC Milan. While Dani Alves also departed for Paris Saint-Germain.

What's more, Marcos Alonso was only brought to Stamford Bridge last summer and performed well under Conte as the Blues ran to the Premier League title, enforcing no desperate need to strengthen at left-back.

When asked in a recent press conference if he was interested in Inter wide man Candreva, per Lewis' report, Conte replied: "It is not correct to speak about the player of another team. Candreva is Inter's player. I have great respect for him and his team and also for my players."

That refusal coincides with GianlucaDiMarzio.com reporter David Amoyal's assertion that Conte has a soft spot for the former Lazio talisman:

The west Londoners have already spent big to bring Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata to the club this summer, with that trio totalling more than £125 million between them.

But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich appears ready to dip back into his wallet in a bid to ensure more titles arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer, even if the current target list looks difficult to pull off.