Liverpool make breakthrough in race to sign Manchester City target

Liverpool have made a breakthrough in the race to sign Southampton centre-back and Manchester City target Virgil van Dijk, reports Independent.ie via the Sunday World. 

The Reds have made the Dutchman their number one defensive target and were heavily linked with a move for the defender over the summer, though any transfer failed to materialise. 

Saints threatened to report Liverpool to the FA as they felt the Merseyside outfit were breaking rules and regulations in their pursuit of the towering centre-back. 

City have also made Van Dijk a primary target next month, but it’s believed Liverpool are now leading the race to sign the 26-year-old. 

Mauricio Pellegrino has left Van Dijk out of his match day squad for the last two Premier League games and it’s expected that he will sit out the Boxing Day visit to Tottenham. 

With the defender carrying no reported injuries, speculation has intensified linking him with a move away from St. Mary’s next month. 

Should Liverpool win the race to secure his services as is rumoured, it’ll come as a huge boost for the Reds, with manager Jurgen Klopp desperate to strengthen at the back.