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.