Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Virgil van Dijk has hailed a former Chelsea target who lined up against him last week(Image: Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk has lavished praise on Spanish prodigy Pau Cubarsi, a player Chelsea nearly signed.

Widely considered one of the best centre-backs of his generation, the Dutchman appears to believe the Barcelona youngster has the potential to follow in his footsteps.

Article continues below

Speaking after the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Spain on Thursday, Van Dijk labelled 18-year-old Cubarsi "a huge talent" and a joy to watch.



He's been a mainstay in Hansi Flick's side all season and has been a regular for Spain over the past few months, too.

Naturally, his form has attracted a few covetous glances from around Europe, and for some clubs, like Chelsea, interest in Cubarsi is longstanding.

In fact, the Blues tried to negotiate an ambitious swap deal for the player, with Ian Maatsen - now at Aston Villa - moving in the other direction back in 2023, when Cubarsi was just 16.

An agreement was never reached, but Chelsea pushed for the defender again in 2024, shortly after he made his La Liga debut.

At the time, there were reports of an £8.5million release clause in Cubarsi's contract, but Barcelona hastily tied him down to a new bumper deal - one with a £419m release clause to stave off suitors.

Pau Cubarsi is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world(Image: Getty Images)

Chelsea's interest in Cubarsi came as no surprise.

Since Todd Boehly's BlueCo consortium took over in 2022, the club have been focusing on signing elite young talent - with the likes of Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo proving particularly successful captures.

Other highly-rated attacking prospects, such as Estevao Willian, Kendry Paez, and Geovany Quenda, have also committed to joining Chelsea.

Widely regarded as some of the most exciting young talents in world football, they are set to arrive at Stamford Bridge within the next year or so.

Chelsea have also tapped into Barcelona's talent pool, signing young forward Marc Guiu in a £4million deal last summer.
For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.