---
title: "Barcelona leading Chelsea in race to sign Van Dijk"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2017/10/16/barcelona-leading-chelsea-race-sign-van-dijk/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2017-10-16T09:49:27Z"
modified: "2017-10-16T09:49:27Z"
---

# Barcelona leading Chelsea in race to sign Van Dijk

Chelsea fell to a stock defeat away at Crystal Palace last weekend, losing further ground on Manchester City at the top of the table as the Blues’ defence once again comes under question.

Antonio Conte did spend big to bring in Antonio Rudiger from Roma for a reported £34m, but injuries and suspensions have left the Blues short of options at the back at times this season.

One player Chelsea were reportedly targeting in the summer was £70m-rated Southampton star Virgil van Dijk but they could now face come increased competition for his signature.

As well as Liverpool who have been long-term admirers of the Dutch centre-back, La Liga giants Barcelona are keeping tabs on his situation ahead of a potential move.

![Jan Kruger/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/855916584.jpg)

Both Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique are in the Autumns of their respective careers and Ernesto Valverde is looking to add some younger, more athletic defenders to his squad and van Dijk is a player he is considering.

Southampton were firm on their stance that he was not for sale at any price during the summer but van Dijk himself handed in a transfer request and has expressed his desire to leave the south coast club.

While both Chelsea and Liverpool are attractive options for the defender, Barcelona are considered to be leading the race to sign him as [Southampton would prefer to let van Dijk join an overseas club](https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/why-barcelona-are-ahead-of-chelsea-and-liverpool-in-race-for-van-42604) as opposed to a Premier League outfit.

The 26-year-old has recently been welcomed back into the first-team fold at St. Mary’s but Chelsea, along with Liverpool and Barcelona, may test Southampton’s resolve come January.