Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte remained unfazed and in reflective mood when asked
about the club's failed attempts at signing defender Virgil van Dijk.
The 26-year-old's £75m switch from Southampton to Liverpool was agreed on
December 27, with the Dutchman finally sealing his switch to Anfield at the
start of the January transfer window.
Conte, who insisted his club would attempt to continue strengthening their
squad in the current transfer window, admitted Chelsea worked hard to
acquire Van Dijk.
Asked if he was disappointed on missing out on the centre-half, Conte said:
"This is football. This is life. For sure he was our target but as you know
this is football.
"We can have a lot of targets but you must be able to reach those targets.
The transfer market is not simple for any club."
The agreed fee for Van Dijk was a world-record sum for a defender, topping
Manchester City's deal to sign Kyle Walker in July.
Van Dijk was keen on a move last summer and handed in a transfer request at
St Mary's, but Liverpool ended their pursuit when the Saints complained they
had made an illegal approach for the centre-back.
On sealing his move on January 1, Van Dijk said: "With the history at the
club and everything around it, it is just a perfect, perfect match for me."
top