Manchester United transfer rumour: Manchester City set to rival Mourinho for Virgil Van Dijk

Virgil Van Dijk: In demand

It is well-known news that Manchester United are interested in signing Virgil Van Dijk but the club's rivals, Manchester City have reportedly also joined the race to sign the Dutch defender. Reports suggest that Pep Guardiola will me making a massive bid for the 25-year-old centre-back in January as his side has been struggling to keep a clean sheet this season.

Initially, City weren’t  interested in bringing in new players in January, but in the recent light of their horrible defending against the likes of Chelsea and Leicester City, the club could be forced into the January transfer window to bolster their defence.

Since his arrival at the St Mary's, Virgil Van Dijk has been outstanding for Southampton in all competitions. The former Celtic player has been one of the most impressive defenders in the Premier League this season making him a prime target for big clubs in the upcoming transfer window.

No £25 million buyout 

Van Dijk is reportedly also keen on the move away from the South Coast in either January or the coming summer transfer window. Southampton manager, Claude Puel has denied that the Dutch defender has a £25 million buyout clause as the Saints value him at £40 million.

Pep Guardiola will have a lot of thinking to do before the transfer window opens as the Spaniard has very little time to sort out his defense with the set of players currently at his disposal. Guardiola will be hoping to find a solution to his side’s defensive fragility as he gets ready to face Hull City and Liverpool FC. In case Manchester City still fail to sort out their defense in the coming games, Pep will have no other choice but to make an aggressive approach for Van Dijk next month.

Pep Guardiola’s side is currently fourth in the Premier League table and have conceded eight more goals than Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.  The fight for Champions League spots this season have intensified with most club’s possessing world class managers at their disposal.

If last season is anything to go by, no team will want to take any small club easily. Virgil Van Dijk reportedly also under the radar of Liverpool, Everton, and Chelsea.

Manchester City have 19-year-old Gabriel Jesus joining the squad next month after signing the Brazilian for £27 million in the summer. The Brazilian international is currently playing with Brazilian club, Palmeiras and will complete his permanent transfer to City after the end of the Brazil’s domestic League in December.