Manchester City target Virgil van Dijk or Jonny Evans to bolster title-chasing squad in January transfer window
Pep Guardiola has convinced City chiefs to back his pursuit of a new centre-back next month
PEP GUARDIOLA is determined to land a new centre-back next month - with Virgil van Dijk and Jonny Evans still high on his shopping list.
However, the runaway leaders will not be held to ransom by their Premier League rivals.
City were keen on Southampton's Van Dijk in the summer - but felt the £70 million asking price was way too high.
The Dutchman indicated he favoured a switch to Liverpool anyway - only for that to fall through days later.
Guardiola remains keen on VVD - but only if Saints are willing to lower the price considerably.
And they might also have to fight off competition from Liverpool again if they do lodge a firm bid.
SUN BETS: BET £10 GET A FREE £30 BET
City switched their attention to West Brom's Evans in August and made an £18 million offer.
That was rejected by the Baggies, who valued the Northern Ireland international at closer to £30 million at the time.
WALK ON BY Danny Rose insists he's not jealous of Kyle Walker's success at Man City
However the 28-year-old former United man is believed to be keen on a return to Manchester and wages which would rise from £80k-a-week to £130k-a-week for a four-year deal.
Alan Pardew is tempted to cash in to fund new arrivals in the Baggies relegation fight but City will refuse to pay over the odds for a player who would have no resale value.
Man City transfer news
Guardiola has had Real Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez, 26, watched for most of this season - and he could come into the reckoning.
He is believed to have a £29 million release clause in his contract - and can also fill in at left-back which could be important with Benjamin Mendy out until April at the earliest.
Guardiola has decided to move for a new centre-back after Vincent Kompany suffered yet another setback at Old Trafford on Sunday.
John Stones is also sidelined with a hamstring problem - although he hopes to get the green light to step up his return next week.
Most read in sport
The England defender has been sidelined since the win at Leciester in mid-November.
However the injury has settled down and the plan is for him to start light training before Christmas.
Guardiola will hope to have Stones back for what could be a busy January - if City make it through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals.