According to reports in The Mirror on Friday, Chelsea are confident that they will beat Manchester City to the £50m signing of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

The story suggests that the 25-year-old centre-back is the Premier League leaders’ top transfer target this summer, and Antonio Conte is willing to break the bank to get his man.

The rumour will come as a blow to Saints supporters, who have seen their key players leave the club over the course of the last few summer transfer windows.

Some fans may have hoped that their captain – who only signed a new six-year deal last May and is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a foot injury in January – would choose to stay another year at St Mary’s, but that has been cast into doubt now.

If the Dutchman is to go, the south coast outfit should remain strong and perhaps try to get some Blues players – plus some money – in exchange for their skipper.

Here are THREE Chelsea players Southampton must demand in the potential Van Dijk deal…

Nathan Ake

Saints were linked with a move for the 22-year-old at the start of March by The Telegraph, and it would make perfect sense to include him as part of the deal if Van Dijk moves to Stamford Bridge.

Ake impressed during a loan spell at Bournemouth during the first half of this season, but he has made just two FA Cup appearances since returning to the Premier League leaders and would know that he would be guaranteed first team football if he made the move to St Mary’s.

Andreas Christensen

Following a successful two-year loan spell at German side Borussia Monchengladbach, The Sun says promising defender Andreas Christensen will return to parent club Chelsea this summer.

While the 20-year-old will hope to stake his claim for a place in the starting line-up on his return to Stamford Bridge, he will face competition from the likes of Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Kurt Zouma and, potentially, Van Dijk.

As a result, he may see a move to St Mary’s – where he would carry on playing regularly – as a better option.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The 21-year-old midfielder has made just eight appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season, and he will know that he may need to leave Stamford Bridge this summer – either on loan, or permanently – if he is to get regular first team football.

Loftus-Cheek showed his potential by scoring twice for the England Under-21 side in their 4-0 friendly win against Denmark last week, and he could be the ideal partner for Saints star Oriol Romeu in the middle of the park.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.

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