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What's the story?
Premier League leaders Manchester City are set to beat rivals Liverpool for the signing of Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk according to English media outlet Telegraph.
The Citizens are expected to get a £60 million deal done for the Dutch star.
In case you didn't know...
Van Dijk was a transfer target for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the last summer but it looked like Liverpool was ahead in the race. However, a fallout between the Reds and Southampton led to the player staying at St. Mary's.
The Manchester club also tried to sign West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans, but the Baggies rejected a £21 million for the player and City were left with no other options.
Despite not being able to sign a centre-back, Manchester City have not lost a single game in the league this season and comfortably occupy the first place on the points table.
The heart of the matter
The Pep Guardiola-managed side are closing in on finalising a £60 million deal for their primary centre-back target van Dijk, beating rivals Liverpool and Chelsea in the process.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and youngster John Stones have been struggling with injuries, leaving the team with Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala as their only options at centre-backs.
Signing a new centre-half will solve that problem for the Citizens.
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Author's take
The signing of van Dijk would see Manchester City solve their primary problem at the moment, hence making them a force to reckon with in Europe's top leagues.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will be very disappointed about not being able to sign their top transfer target from the summer. The Reds will have to look elsewhere now.
