Manchester City consider Virgil van Dijk transfer after injury to John Stones

Manchester City are weighing up moving for Virgil van Dijk in January with John Stones set to miss six weeks due to injury, reports say.

The Southampton defender is expected to aggravate for a move away in the winter transfer window after failing to push through a summer switch to Liverpool.

Liverpool were reportedly given the green light to bid for Van Dijk and the Reds are hopeful they can sign the centre-back either in January or in the summer.

But, an injury to John Stones against Leicester City on Saturday has sparked concern at Liverpool that City will enter the market for a centre-back and Van Dijk is top of their list.

The Mirror claim City have marked Van Dijk as a potential replacement and are considering hijacking Liverpool’s £70million deal for the Southampton star.

Stones will be out until the New Year after picking up a hamstring problem in the first half against Leicester.

Pep Guardiola has admitted it is a massive blow to his side with Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim and the injury-prone Vincent Kompany the only centre-backs fit.

The Man City boss hinted he would indeed be pursuing another defender when the window opens again.

He said: ‘We’re going to discuss when January is coming.

‘We are going to think about it, but not because John is in that position.

‘To play in all the competitions, you need a bigger squad because the players don’t have time for regeneration before the next game.’

Liverpool will be desperate to see off competition from City and land their priority defensive target, who still has his heart set on becoming a Merseyside Red.

Jurgen Klopp seems so keen on Van Dijk, that he refused to sign an alternative centre-back in the summer, preferring to wait on the Dutchman.

Van Dijk continues to confide in his closest allies that he wants to move to Anfield and prefers them over City.

But, Liverpool’s and Southampton’s relationship continues to be tense and it may be the Saints would prefer to sell to City over the Reds.

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