As the race for the signature of Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk hots up, the price for his signature is also going beyond the £50 million mark.
The Dutchman has not played football since the turn of the new year but has managed to still be in high demand thanks to an early season form that saw him outperform many other top Premier League defenders.
The top Premier League teams have been tracking him, but it now appears that Chelsea and Manchester City are the most serious of those suitors.
The Blues wants the defender to replace John Terry after the former England captain ended his Chelsea career this season. They see van Dijk as the sort of defensive leader that they need to Partner Gary Cahill and David Luiz at the centre of their defence.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already begun the rebuilding of his Manchester City team with the signing of Monaco’s Benardo Silva. He has been shopping for a capable partner to John Stones whom he signed last season from Everton, and considers Van Dijk, who played in the Champions League with Celtic, the right fit for his club.
The defender is set to leave Saint Mary, but would likely leave for at least £50 million.