Man City chase Virgil van Dijk and Inigo Martinez

  • Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to sign a new centre back in January
  • Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk and Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez are on the list
  • Martinez’s release clause is £29million and the defender has four caps for Spain 
  • Centre backs John Stones and Vincent Kompany are both currently out injured  

Manchester City have zeroed in on Virgil van Dijk and Inigo Martinez as potential defensive signings next month.

Pep Guardiola reiterated his desire to land a centre half in January earlier this week and confirmed talks had taken place with sporting director Txiki Begiristain.

Sportsmail understands Southampton’s Van Dijk and Martinez of Real Sociedad are two high on Guardiola’s radar, with the manager weighing up both.

Manchester City are weighing up a move for Southampton centre back Virgil van Dijk

Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez is also being considered as City seek defensive reinforcements

Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez is also being considered as City seek defensive reinforcements

John Stones and Vincent Kompany are currently out injured which, while not impacting City now, has highlighted the need for reinforcements.

Eliaquim Mangala was solid during Wednesday’s 4-0 victory at Swansea but he almost left in the summer and is now the only genuine senior central defender to partner Nicolas Otamendi.

While Stones will be back by the new year, Guardiola wants a fresh face.

‘In that department we have few, few players and of course to handle all to competitions we are in trouble, real trouble,’ he said.

Pep Guardiola is concerned by the lack of defensive depth in the squad and wants a fresh face

Pep Guardiola is concerned by the lack of defensive depth in the squad and wants a fresh face

Martinez – capped four times for Spain – has spent his entire career at Sociedad and built a strong reputation for himself in La Liga.

The 26-year-old’s release clause is £29million, less than Jonny Evans would have cost had City managed to seal that deal in August.

Van Dijk, still a target for Liverpool after their failed summer attempt, would find it easier to slot in at the Etihad Stadium.

But the former Celtic man would cost considerably more, even though his relationship with Saints bosses remains strained. 



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