Pep Guardiola instructed Manchester City to prioritse Alexis Sanchez transfer over deal for Virgil van Dijk

Pep Guardiola instructed Manchester City to prioritse Alexis Sanchez transfer over deal for Virgil van Dijk

Pep Guardiola instructed Manchester City to prioritise a deal for Alexis Sanchez over any possible move for new Liverpool signing Virgil van Dijk, according to reports.

         Van Dijk completed a stunning £75million move to Anfield at the start of the month as Jurgen Klopp finally signed the Dutch defender in a deal that eclipsed the £53m City paid for Kyle Walker.

         The Reds were desperate to sign Van Dijk last summer but had to pull out of negotiations after being accused of ‘tapping-up’. Man City expressed interest in the 26-year-old at the time and were expected to revive their interest in January.

But Guardiola chose pursuing a deal for Arsenal forward Sanchez over strengthening his defensive options at the Etihad, according to The Sun.

Sanchez is expected to leave Arsenal either this month or next summer (Picture: Getty)
         The Gunners want £35m for Sanchez this month and City may yet decide to sign the Chilean on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Van Dijk enjoyed a ‘dream’ start to his career at Anfield after scoring the winner against rivals Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.

Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool for a record-breaking £75m (Picture: Getty)

    ‘Playing at Anfield for Liverpool is a dream for every player – I think,’ he said. ‘That’s come true and scoring a goal is even more special.

‘What a night, fully deserved – obviously. It felt amazing to be out there, playing with these guys. The goal was very special for me and obviously for my family as well.’