Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has earmarked Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk and Sporting midfielder William Carvalho as potential replacements for two of the club’s most important players in their history, reports The Daily Mail.
Vincent Kompany’s time at City appears to be coming to an end after yet another injury has left the captain sidelined for another extended spell, forcing Guardiola to plan for life without the Belgium international.
The 30-year-old has only started 15 league games in the Premier League since the start of last season after being hampered by a series of reoccurring injuries and the City manager is now reportedly eyeing a move for Southampton ace Van Dijk.
The Netherlands international has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League since joining Southampton from Celtic 18 months ago and has already been linked with a number of City’s rivals.
Guardiola is expected to dip into the January transfer window for a new defender with only Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones able to be relied upon at the heart of their defence, with Van Dijk now top of his priorities.
A new central defender isn’t the only area Guardiola is looking to strengthen, as the City boss ponders a long-term replacement for Yaya Toure. Unlike Kompany, the need to replace Toure isn’t as important right now following his surprise return to contention in recent weeks.
However, with Toure unlikely to be handed a new deal beyond the end of the season, Guardiola will need to address the situation next summer, with Sporting midfielder Carvalho at the top of his thoughts.
The Euro 2016 winner has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years, with Arsenal regularly mooted with a move for the 24-year-old.
Of players to have attempted at least 15 dribbles in the Portuguese Liga NOS this season, Carvalho has the best success rate (83.3%).
For more stats on William Carvalho, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
