Despite a stunning start to the season that has seen them break records galore, Manchester City still believe that their squad can be improved, with Pep Guardiola considering moves for two defenders as he looks to bolster his back line.
English publication 'The Daily Mail' reports that Southampton's Virgil van Dijk and Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez are two of City's top targets after Guardiola reiterated his desire to strengthen his options at centre-back.
The City boss has already held talks with sporting director Txiki Begiristain to discuss the club's January plans, with a centre-back and a left-back thought to be the areas of interest to the urnaway Premier League leaders.
Captain Vincent Kompany and England international John Stones are both currently missing through injury, leaving the 'Citizens' with only Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala as senior options at the back.
The latter put in a solid performance in the 4-0 thrashing of Swansea on Wednesday night, but is not thought to have a long-term future under Guardiola, hence the search for alternatives.
‘In that department we have few, few players and of course to handle all to competitions we are in trouble, real trouble,’ Guardiola has been quoted as saying.
City are considering a number of options and whilst they are continuing to moniter West Brom's Jonny Evans, it is thought that they are more likely to move for one of four-time Spain international Martinez, who has a £29m release clause, or wantaway Southampton star Van Dijk, though the Dutchman is likely to cost a small fortune despite his torubled relationship with the Southampton hierarchy in recent times.
The moves would add further depth to what is already an impressive City squad, striking another blow to the clubs hoping to hunt them down in the race for the title.