City join Van Dijk race
Reports in England claim that Premier League leaders Manchester City have joined Liverpool in the race for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool are long-term admirers of the defender after attempting to do a deal for the player during the summer. That move quickly went pear-shaped though and led to 'the saints' threating to report their Premier League rivals over an 'illegal aprroach'.
Jurgen Klopp refused to be drawn on a potential January move for the Dutch international following Liverpool's 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday, but it appears that they will face competition should they choose to launch a bid.
English publication 'The Daily Mirror' reports that Manchester City have joined the race for the 26-year-old after losing John Stones to a hamstring injury.
Pep Guardiola admitted following the win over Leicester that centre-back was an area that the club needs to look at when the transfer window reopens and with Southampton thought to be prepared to cash in on Van Dijk, he could be the perfect option.
The sticking point though will be the Dutchman's wishes, with the player having previously suggested that he has his heart set on a move to Anfield.
However, with Southampton still reluctant to do business with the 'Reds' and given Pep guardiola's pulling power, perhaps a move to City isn't out of the question quite yet.
Van Dijk has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since moving to St Mary's from Celtic in 2015 and is expected to fetch a significant transfer fee when he is eventually sold on.