Antonio Conte replies when asked if Chelsea are signing top 26-year-old in January
Antonio Conte delivers an update on the speculation linking Chelsea with a move to sign Virgil van Dijk in January
Antonio Conte has remained coy when quizzed about the speculation linking Chelsea with a possible January transfer move to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
The 26-year-old’s future looks set to be a fresh source of speculation in the mid-season transfer window after he was heavily linked with a move away from Southampton in the summer.
Van Dijk was thought to be one of Liverpool FC’s top transfer targets in the summer but a move for the defender failed to materialise after the Reds were accused of an alleged illegal approach back in June.
Chelsea were also touted as a possible destination for the Netherlands forward in the summer months but Van Dijk ended up staying at Southampton.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea and Liverpool FC will make concrete moves for Van Dijk in the January transfer window.
But Conte was in no mood to fuel the speculation when asked about Van Dijk following the Blues’ 1-0 win over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Asked if he would consider a January transfer move for Van Dijk, Conte told his post-match news conference: “I don’t like to talk about other players.
“It’s a lack of respect for my players and other team. He is a really good player, I wish him the best.”
Chelsea return to League Cup action on Wednesday night when they take on Bournemouth in the quarter-final clash at Stamford Bridge.
