Manchester City are targeting Virgil van Dijk and William Carvalho as replacements for Kompany and Toure
Pep Guardiola has identified the men he wants to replace club legends at the Etihad
MANCHESTER CITY have identified Virgil van Dijk and William Carvalho to replace two of the club’s legends.
Time appears to being running out for both club captain Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure at the Etihad.
And Southampton defender Van Dijk is the man identified by City to fill the position of their skipper.
The Holland international has been in fine form for the Saints this season and enhanced his reputation significantly.
Etihad scouts were in attendance a fortnight ago at St Mary’s as the Dutchman and his side held Premier League high-flyers Liverpool to a goalless draw.
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The south coast side forked out £11.5million for the centre-half to Scottish giants Celtic 18 months ago.
But they can expect to recoup at least double that amount should they cash in on their star.
Pep Guardiola is looking to enhance his backline after watching his side keep only two clean sheets in the top-flight and once in the Champions League.
Kompany’s fitness issues are well known, and despite his popularity within the squad at City, the club have begun their search for a long-term replacement.
He is the prime target for Guardiola and Southampton are bracing themselves for the fight to keep hold of their ace when the transfer window opens in January.
Carvalho is also high on the wanted list for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
However, the need to recruit the Portuguese midfielder is less pressing after the renaissance of Yaya Toure over the past fortnight.
The Ivory Coast veteran has just returned to the starting line-up at City, notching twice on his first start against Crystal Palace, after falling out with his manager.
Sporting Lisbon are desperate to keep hold of their prized-asset, and are not interested in selling him during the middle of the season, but cannot keep hold of him forever.
The lure of Europe’s big guns is too much for the Portugal international and it is widely believed he will leave at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old has a buy-out clause of £42m and the club would not consider selling him for less than that amount.
Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked with Carvalho in the past, but City have moved into the driving seat in the chase to bring him to England.
It is understood, according to the Daily Mail, that his representatives held talks with City on Thursday about a future switch to these shores.