Southampton to demand £70m for Manchester City and Chelsea target

Southampton will demand at least £70m from Manchester City and Chelsea if they are to pursue their long standing interest in centre-back Virgil van Dijk, reports the Daily Mail. 

Liverpool had looked in pole position to sign Van Dijk, yet Southampton threatened to report the Reds to the Premier League for tapping and have since withdrawn their interest in the Dutchman. 

The Merseyside outfit have now switched targets and are instead focusing their efforts on Lazio’s Stefan de Vrij, meaning City and Chelsea will battle it out for his compatriot. 

Saints, though, are under no pressure to sell the defender, who hasn’t featured since January due to an ankle issue. 

Van Dijk penned a six-year deal to stay at St. Mary’s last May and Saints are aware they can command a top fee for the coveted centre-back. 

City and Chelsea are in the market for a new centre-back this summer and the 25-year-old is a priority for both Premier League sides as they aim for another title tilt. 

However, they will need to fork out upwards of £70m for Van Dijk, who gained a WhoScored rating of 7.43 in the Premier League last season.