Celtic set for £5m windfall as Chelsea prepare summer swoop for Virgil van Dijk

Southampton have maintained that the Dutch defender is not for sale, however with Chelsea looking for up to six new signings to bolster their squad for next season it could be that the player has his price.

Van Dijk has become one of the most sought after defenders in the Premier League this season and although he signed a new six-year deal with Southampton just last year, the player has continued to stay on the radar of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Chelsea are believed to be favourites to sign Van Dijk, a move that could net Celtic up to a £5m profit, given the price tag that Southampton have on the defender’s head.

Read more: Celtic assistant Chris Davies was ill watching Hoops fight for Champions League spot

Van Dijk was rumoured to have a £25m buy-out clause in his contract, a story that was refuted by Claude Puel, the Southampton manager whose own position has been subject of recent speculation.

The player left the Parkhead side in August 2015 for £13m, but Celtic had a sell-on clause inserted into the deal to ensure they would be a further profit if Van Dijk continued to progress in his career.

With Chelsea set for Champions League football next season in tandem with a defence of their league title, it is believed that Conte has identified 25-year-old Van Dijk as his main target for centre-half.

There is also a growing belief south of the border that it is Chelsea whom Van Dijk would favour were there to be formal interest from various parties in him.

In any case, with the player looking certain to move on, Brendan Rodgers’ transfer kitty could be set for a timely boost as the club prepare to strengthen in the looming transfer window.

Read more: Celtic assistant Chris Davies was ill watching Hoops fight for Champions League spot

The Celtic manager has been open about looking to bring in two or three players whom he believes can add some depth to the Parkhead side as they too look to maintain some European progression this season.

Chelsea are believed to be preparing for major investment, with a spree that is likely to surpass the £200m mark.

Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, although Conte is believed to want both players to remain at the club.

However, Jose Mourinho is set to make a move for Willian to take him from Chelsea to Old Trafford.

From Celtic's perspective, however, any prospective sale of Van Dijk to Chelsea will watched with significant interest.