It is being reported that Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk now has a new suitor. The Dutch defender has been the subject of a huge transfer speculation since his very first season in the Premier League. Liverpool’s interest went overboard and the Reds had to end up apologizing for their unethical approach towards the transfer. However, for Southampton, the saga seems far from over with Van Dijk clearly unhappy over his failed transfer.
He was finally blended into the first team only after the transfer window closed and although things have cooled down since, it will not be surprising to see clubs reinitiate their chase of Van Dijk in January.
Pep Guardiola’s first choice centre back John Stones has been ruled out with an injury and Pep has confirmed that City will be looking for further additions at the back in January. He believes the squad is too thin to challenge for all four trophies and bringing in more talent is necessary to keep City competitive.
The situation at City is now booming. Pep has formed a team that is well on its way to conquer Europe should they keep up their current form. The Manchester City team is heavily loaded with attacking talents from all across the globe and under Pep’s careful tutelage, the players have gelled well together to form a team that is producing nothing but swashbuckling score lines in their favour.
City has already scored over 50 goals this season in a space of just three months and are hungry for more. However, upon close inspection, it can be seen that there are still a few cracks in that City team Pep would like to identify.
For starters, it has been no secret that Pep wanted a new partner for John Stones at the back. With Kompany becoming more and more injury prone, Otamendi is not really Pep’s favoured choice. He is stuck with the error-prone Argentine for now and knowing Pep’s pursuit for perfection and City’s healthy wallet, they would like to diagnose and treat the illness before it spreads.
The situation now will be even more serious with Stones ruled for a lengthy period with a hamstring injury.
Given City’s approach to problem solving is to open their deep wallet, it won’t be surprising to see City go out for a new centre back, a ball playing player who can partner Stones for years to come. It is in this light, that City will be chasing Van Dijk, who might be a perfect partner for Stones and maybe a call from Pep might just convince the Dutchman to come to the Etihad.
