Manchester City target Virgil van Dijk and William Carvalho as Pep Guardiola steps up search for Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure replacements

Manchester City have targeted Virgil van Dijk and William Carvalho as they look to find long-term replacements for Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.

Van Dijk, the Southampton defender, has seen his reputation enhanced significantly this season and City have scouted him extensively in recent weeks; they had a representative at St Mary's for the recent 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

The Holland international has been another shining example of Southampton's work in the transfer market and if he was to leave in January, he would command a fee far beyond the £11.5million it cost to sign him from Celtic 18 months ago.

Manchester City have targeted Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk for a January move

The Dutchman has been another shining example of Southampton's recruitment acumen

City will continue to revamp a defence that has so far only kept two clean sheets in the Premier League and managed a solitary shutout in the Champions League group stage. 

Van Dijk has the presence and authority to succeed Kompany, whose fitness issues have been well documented. He is a prime target for January and Southampton are bracing themselves for offers when the window opens and are making plans of their own to buy.

The need to recruit Carvalho, meanwhile, is less pressing. Toure has just returned to the starting line-up and made an impact.

Sporting Lisbon are not interested in selling one of their most influential players in the middle of the campaign.

Carvalho, a Portugal international, has long been regarded as one of the brightest young players in Europe. 

City also want William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon but a mid-season move is less likely

Pep Guardiola is keen to find long-term replacements for Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany

The €50million (£42m) buyout close in his contract is indicative of his standing in Lisbon; Sporting would not sell him for less.

But City are firm admirers of the 24-year-old, who has been linked in the past with Manchester United and Arsenal and it is understood that his representatives held preliminary discussions about a move to the Premier League next summer in Barcelona on Thursday.

Julian Weigl, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, is another option being considered by Pep Guardiola though concluding a deal for the midfielder is loaded with difficulties with his side reluctant to sell.