Manchester United were unable to take all three points this weekend as well as Slaven Bilic’s West Ham side held on to a point at the Old Trafford in the domestic league at the weekend. The duo will now face off in the League Cup quarter final at the same place as both teams will look to better their results from the weekend.
Mourinho is evidently unhappy with the squad at his disposal and injuries to key players has seen him busily track potential targets who can improve the squad in January.
There are a number of star players linked with a move to Old Trafford but one player who is wanted by many Premier League clubs is Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch international moved to Southampton at the start of the previous season from Celtic and has cemented a place in the starting lineup even under Claude Puel. He has been at his best this season, helping the Saints to a place in the top half of the table, 13 games into the season and is growing on to become one of the best defenders not just in the top flight but all over the country.
Jose Mourinho, who has the likes of Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling injured, is ready to pounce on him in January to add some mettle to his backline but he will not have a free go at the defender come January.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who have a very good relation with the Saints academy, now want to add a 5th Saints player to their starting XI with the manager pondering over a move for Van Dijk and Sam McQueen of Southampton.
The Dutch defender is in sublime form and will walk into the starting XI of most clubs in the country and Liverpool are hoping to lure him to the club in January to keep him at their disposal in the next season where they will hopefully be fighting in Europe.
But Liverpool and United are not the only teams that are desperate for his signature. Merseyside outfit Everton are also reportedly keen in his signature to come January.
The Toffees lost John Stones to Manchester City in the summer and though Ashley Williams has been decent, former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman is now trying to sign Van Dijk for the second time in 2 years.
The 25-year old signed a 6-year contract with Southampton in May but that has not stopped the trio from monitoring his status for a move in January.
It is also understood that Van Dijk can cost up to £40m, which might scare potential suitors away but with all three clubs ready to spend big, it might turn out to be a transfer battle for everyone to enjoy in January.
Where do you think Van Dijk will be playing his football come the end of the season?