It appeared that the future of Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk would involve a move to one of Liverpool or Chelsea, with both clubs being strongly linked with a move for the Dutch international in recent months.
However, both clubs look set to be trumped by a Premier League rival in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.
Instead, Van Dijk is now being backed to join Manchester City, who have launched a £50 million bid for the Saints centre-half.
Van Dijk has become one of the most wanted defenders in the Premier League over the past two seasons. Image: PA
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The Times are reporting that Pep Guardiola's free spending summer is set to continue, after the Eastlands club parted with almost £80 million for the services of Monaco play maker Bernardo Silva and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson over the past few days.
Between agreeing deals for Bernardo Silva (top) and Ederson (bottom), it's already been a very productive summer for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Images: PA
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In a desperate effort to swipe Van Dijk away from the clutches of Chelsea and Liverpool, City are prepared to offer the Netherlands international £180,000-a-week, which would see the total deal for the defender cost close to £100 million when all said and done.
Van Dijk has been hugely impressive for the Saints since arriving at St. Mary's from Celtic, in 2015, but missed almost half of last season after suffering an injury in January that prematurely ended his campaign.
The news of City's monstrous offer for Van Dijk comes hot on the heels of chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak's revelation that he is demanding Guardiola delivers the club the treble, or maybe even an unprecedented quadruple, next season after the Catalan coach endured his first ever trophyless campaign as a manager.
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With £300 million to play with, this summer, Guardiola's lofty targets may be made a little easier by his board's backing, but there can be no doubt that another similar season to the 2016/17 campaign will not be tolerated by Al Mubarak and would likely lead to the former Barcelona and Bayern manager's first career dismissal.
(H/T The Times)
Topics: Manchester City, Football, Chelsea FC, Southampton, Virgil Van Dijk, Liverpool FC
