Chelsea open up van Dijk talks

Despite claiming that they would reject an offer of £60m for Virgil van Dijk it has been reported that Southampton have already opened talks about selling the defender.

According to a report in The Telegraph private talks have been held between the two clubs over a deal that would be in excess of the world record fee paid for a defender when David Luis moved from Paris St German to Chelsea for £50m.

Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with van Dijk although Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City also have an interest in the defender.

Fresh from winning the Premier League title Antonio Conte is determined to bring in the quality additions to make the club contenders for the Champions League.

Despite the expensive price tags put on van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku it seems likely that Conte will be able to bring in his top striking and defensive targets with Chelsea setting the pace on the park and in the transfer market.