CONFIRMED: Chelsea's bid for Virgil van Dijk

Robin Bairner

17 Jan 2026 12:41 GMT
4 min read

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, Chelsea, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Chelsea launched a stunning transfer bid for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk only to have it shot down by the Dutch international, according to a stunning report.

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The Blues are in the market for a centre-back this January and appear to be well on course to signing Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, but the Stamford Bridge outfit were also looking for a similar player in the summer while still under the guidance of Enzo Maresca.

With Van Dijk out of contract at Anfield in June 2025, Chelsea attempted to make a cheeky raid on the Netherlands veteran, TalkSport claims.

Current ETV

Virgil van Dijk

D (C)

Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk

D (C)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€8.5M - €11.5M

The report states that the Blues primarily wanted Dean Huijsen – then of Bournemouth but now of Real Madrid – but they had an eye on the 34-year-old.

“Another name Chelsea were keen on was Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, as they made an enquiry for the Dutchman in March last year before he signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool,” it claims.

Transfer expert Ben Jacobs adds: “Enzo Maresca's desire for an extra defensive body may have weakened their position in the market given several of their Premier League clubs were also struggling to land an elite centre-back.”

Van Dijk: A surprise but logical Chelsea signing

Van Dijk would have been a surprising addition to the Chelsea squad given his age profile.

Since taking over at Stamford Bridge in 2022, BlueCo have shunned signing veteran players, tending to prefer adding extremely young players to their ranks for their sell-on value.

The last player over the age of 30 to play for the club was Thiago Silva in 2024, while Tosin Adarabioyo is the oldest first-team player on their books this season at 28. He does not have a good deal of elite experience, though.

There has been a push for older heads in the Chelsea side to help them during periods of difficult. With just one win against top-flight opponents since beating Barcelona on 25 November, the Blues could use some experience.

Indeed, one of the clashes that Maresca had with the board that ultimately saw him sacked was rumoured to have been over the lack of veteran players, like Van Dijk, in his squad.

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