Chelsea step up bid for £20m Cedric Soares and remain in strong position over Virgil van Dijk

Chelsea have finally decided to follow up their interest in Southampton right back Cedric Soares.

Standard Sport first revealed that the 25-year-old was on Chelsea's wish-list for the right wing back position back in April.

However, the Blues have prioritised other positions since then and have brought in Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Willy Caballero.

Chelsea hope to add another four more players to their squad before the transfer deadline, although coach Antonio Conte would ideally like to strengthen both wing back positions as well as other areas of the pitch.

They have been linked with Valencia's Joao Cancelo and Paris St Germain's Serge Aurier in recent weeks for the role on the right, but both deals have complications and Soares is under consideration once again.

Soares is seen as a cheaper option, even though he still has three years left on his contract and was part of Portugal's squad that won Euro 2016 last year.

The champions think Southampton could be persuaded to agree a transfer for between £15-£20m.

Southampton have just been taken over by Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng so are under no pressure to sell any players.

However, it is understood that the end of protracted takeover talks at St Mary's Stadium will help rather than hinder Chelsea's chances.

The Blues are on good terms with Southampton, which has also put them in a strong position should the Saints decide to sell rebel defender Virgil van Dijk.

Their former left back Ryan Bertrand is the third Southampton defender they have considered this summer, although the England left back is behind two players on their wish-list for that position.

Alex Sandro is first choice but their latest enquiry was rejected by Juventus, who continue to insist he is not for sale.