Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City that he would like to sign Alexis Sanchez and Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window.

City nearly signed Sanchez during the summer. Sanchez is without a contract beyond the current season, which would allow City to sign him without a transfer fee in just a few months.

Guardiola has concerns about the depth of his back line due to the inconsistent fitness of Vincent Kompany.

Van Dijk has been restored to the Southampton first team under Mauricio Pellegrino after having a transfer request rejected but he could be allowed to leave should they receive a suitable offer, thought to be in the region of £60 million.

City would also like another central midfielder behind Fernandinho with Dortmund's Julian Weigl viewed as a candidate.