According to reports from Mirror Football, Manchester United are eyeing a January transfer deal for Southampton's £30million-rated defender Virgil van Dijk.
What's the word?
Following a 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday that has left United stuck in sixth place, Mirror Football claim Jose Mourinho wants to strengthen his squad with two defensive reinforcements in January and chief executive Ed Woodward is more than prepared to provide the funds to do so.
Whilst the majority of the article centres around Bayern Munich's David Alaba, a fantastic but probably unrealistic mid-season signing for the Red Devils as he's one of the most naturally talented young footballers in the world and already plies his trade with a Champions League juggernaut, Mirror Football also mention United's interest in Virgil van Dijk, who they rate at around the £30million mark.
Anybody else interested?
Having continued his fine 2015/16 form into the current campaign, typified by a Man of the Match performance during Southampton's rearguard display against Liverpool last Saturday, VvD's stock is seemingly at an all-time high.
As Football FanCast discussed earlier this week, Liverpool are also targeting the Dutchman according to The Daily Star, alongside his defensive accomplice Sam McQueen. It seems The Star aren't the only rumour merchants looking to cash-in on van Dijk's fantastic run of form, with Mirror Football now linking the centre-back with a winter move to Old Trafford.
What's so great about VvD?
What isn't? He may be yet to prove himself at a major club but van Dijk appears to be the total package when it comes to the modern day centre-back.
The 6 foot 4 star has averaged the most successful aerial duels per match of any Premier League centre-half this season (4.3), but he's also a fantastic defender on the deck with great pace and power and arguably even better when the ball's at his feet, instigating countless Southampton attacks with ranging passes from the heart of the back line - and resultantly ranking third throughout Premier League centre-backs for accurate long-balls per match (5.4).
Furthermore, the 25-year-old offers goalscoring threat. He became famous at Celtic for his blistering free kicks and has continued to find the net on the south coast, netting thrice in the Premier League last season and nabbing an all-important equaliser against Inter Milan in the Europa League - arguably the biggest game in Southampton's history - earlier this month.
Here's a look at van Dijk's form compared to Liverpool and United's current centre-back options based on per-game metrics, courtesy of Squawka.
Destined for better things?
Whilst a very select few players in world football would scoff at the chance to sign for Liverpool or Manchester United, some have tipped Virgil van Dijk to reach the absolute top of the beautiful game - in real terms, representing either side of the El Clasico rivalry. Step up Jamie Redknapp, who said this of the Southampton ace back in October...
"I've liked him since his Celtic days. He's come to the Premier League and is making it look easy. I think Toby Alderweireld might just edge him as the best but he's certainly not far behind. He's got it all. He's obviously very big, he's good on the ball and he's got pace. He's the modern-day centre-back who can come forward with the ball. He could play for any team in the future - Barcelona, Real Madrid - he's that good."
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