Chelsea back for Liverpool long-term target Virgil van Dijk

Chelsea have reportedly decided to increase their efforts to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

Since the end of last season, the Saints skipper has been strongly linked with an exit from St Mary’s, with Liverpool, Manchester City and the Blues all holding an interest.

However, despite remaining keen on the Netherlands international, Liverpool were forced to apologise for their pursuit earlier this summer and Chelsea are hoping to use that to their advantage.

According to The Times, head coach Antonio Conte is prepared to offer £50m in an attempt to sign the centre-back before the start of the new season.

The Premier League champions have already added Antonio Rudiger to their squad but if they were successful in a move for Van Dijk, it would allow Cesar Azpilicueta to move to wing-back.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that Van Dijk had reiterated to the Saints that he wished to leave the club this summer.