Manchester City have held talks with Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk – according to reports.
Van Dijk was Liverpool’s biggest transfer target of the summer but Southampton refused to sell the Dutch International prompting Van Dijk to stay at the club for another season. But now it seems that the defender wants to move out during the January transfer window itself.
Liverpool still hold a substantial interest in the player but clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be preparing bids for the Saints defender. And now as per the Guardian, Pep Guardiola has asked his management to take the initiative and bring Van Dijk to Manchester City.
So keeping the request of their Spanish manager, City have supposedly made contact with Southampton in order to enquire if Van Dijk is available or not. And it seems a transfer price in the region of £60 million will be more than enough to secure the deal.
Guardiola recently said that he was out in the market looking for a centre-back who will be a long-term replacement to the ageing Vincent Kompany. And it seems that the City boss has set his sights on the Saints defender.
This will be a huge setback to both Chelsea and Liverpool who are badly in need of a centre-back. David Luiz is more or less sure to leave the club – either in January or at the end of the season, and with Gary Cahill also ageing, Conte wants a new long-term defender. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp too is in need of a defender in order to bring a much-required balance to his team.
Conte recently requested Guardiola not to sign every player, now it seems that his fears are indeed coming true.
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