So, Virgil Van Dijk doesn’t want to be at Southampton anymore, but does that necessarily mean he’ll end up at Liverpool?
If the latest reports from England are to be believed, then Chelsea are certainly a thorn in Jürgen Klopp’s side, as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his defence, especially after the slightly humiliating 3-2 loss at home against Burnley on their opening game of the season.
Of course, such claims have reached Italy, and in Corriere dello Sport’s head, the signing of the Southampton defender could lead to a rather convenient domino effect that would see both Chelsea and the Saints, as well as Inter, benefit.
You see, the Serie A side are keen on a new centre-back, and while Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala has become a new target for Luciano Spalletti, he isn’t the ideal man for the job.
That, apparently, is Andreas Christensen.
The Danish defender, who, for now, appears to be in Antonio Conte’s plans, could see his game time rather limited if Virgil Van Dijk were to arrive at Stamford Bridge, which could lead to a, as we said, ‘convenient’ transfer to Inter.
So, so far we’ve got the Netherlands international going to London and Christensen heading to Milan, but what about Southampton?
Well, this is where a certain Andrea Ranocchia, who had a rather impressive six months under Marco Silva at Hull City last year, comes in.
The Italian centre-back has been waiting all summer for a move back to England, putting Genoa on hold, and the Inter defender could, according to Corriere, head to Southampton.
We’re not sure where the 29-year-old would fit in Mauricio Pellegrino’s hierarchy, what with Maya Yoshida, Florin Gardos, Jack Stephens and new signing Jan Bednarek already at the club, but at least he’d be in England!
