Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola fancies trumping Liverpool in January for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

The Mirror says Liverpool are set to pounce after Southampton recently revealed last week he could now be up for grabs.

But City boss Guardiola was hunting defensive reinforcements for his Premier League leaders even before John Stones was ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury suffered on Saturday.

Guardiola said after the 2-0 win away to Leicester: “We're going to discuss when January is coming.

“We are going to think about it, but not because John is in that position.

“To play in all the competitions, you need a bigger squad because the players don't have time for regeneration before the next game."

Van Dijk has so far indicated to friends that he has his heart set on a move to Anfield.