Manchester City have joined the race for Virgil van Dijk with the Southampton defender about to become the hottest property in the January transfer window.
According to a report in the Daily Mail Pep Guardiola views the 25-year-old as the perfect replacement for the injury prone Vincent Kompany.
Van Dijk has been in outstanding form for Southampton this season, taking Premier League and Europa League opponents in his stride.
Speaking to TalkSPORT on Thursday Matt le Tissier said that watching the Dutchman playing was sometimes ‘like a man playing against an under-14 team.
Liverpool and Everton have been strongly linked with van Dijk who joined Saints from Celtic in a £12m deal in August 2014.
City will have noted his partnership with Jason Denayer at Celtic and the ease with which he has settled into playing in the Premier League.
Southampton won’t entertain any bids under £40m but having paid £47m for John Stones that fee won’t frighten off Pep Guardiola.