Manchester City are planning a £50million swoop for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

Discreet talks over a move for the Holland star have taken place over the last two weeks as City position themselves to get a deal done next month.
Van Dijk, 25, is aware of City's interest and would find it difficult to resist the lure of Champions League footbal.

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain is working on the deal, but if he is unable to do business with Saints next month, the club will continue to monitor Van Dijk's progress ahead of another attempt next summer.
Pep Guardiola's side are beset with defensive problems, having kept just three clean sheets in 17 league games, and the City boss is keen to strengthen his back line next month.
Guardiola wants a central defender with Premier League experience who can go straight into the first team.
Southampton hope to keep their prized asset until at least the summer, but a bid of around £50m could force a change of heart.
That would represent a significant profit on the £13m Saints paid Celtic for Van Dijk in September 2015 and the club have shown before that they are prepared to sell their best players for the right price.