Chelsea Reportedly Prep £50M Virgil van Dijk Bid Amid Liverpool Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a £50 million bid for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk and are "optimistic" a deal could be agreed before the start of the new Premier League season on August 11.

According to Matt Hughes in The Times, the Blues are prepared to battle long-term Van Dijk suitors Liverpool for his signature, with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte having persuaded his club to move for the Dutchman.

The Premier League champions are looking to take advantage of Southampton and Liverpool's poor relationship. The south-coast club reported the Reds to the Premier League for "making an illegal approach" for Van Dijk earlier this summer, per David Hytner in the Guardian.

Saints have said Van Dijk, 26, is not for sale, but they could be persuaded by a significant bid from Chelsea, Hughes added.

Per Warren Haughton in the The Sun, Netherlands international Van Dijk is desperate to move to Liverpool to work under manager Jurgen Klopp.

It is little surprise he is being pursued by some of England's top clubs, as he has been one of the Premier League's best centre-backs since joining Southampton in 2015, per Squawka:

Van Dijk wants to move on from St Mary's Stadium, and if Saints will not let him join Liverpool, Chelsea would be a fine alternative destination.

The Blues have already added a new centre-back during the transfer window, purchasing Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma for £29 million.

However, even more strength in defence would be no bad thing, especially as Conte prefers to deploy three at the back. What's more, Chelsea are returning to the UEFA Champions League in 2017-18, so they will need greater depth.

Van Dijk would not simply provide cover. He has the ability to become the No. 1 choice at Chelsea ahead of even David Luiz and Gary Cahill who, while excellent last season, have both previously struggled for consistency.