Everton boss Ronald Koeman wants to sign highly-ratedSouthampton centre-backVirgil van Dijk as a long-term replacementfor John Stones, according toreports in theMirror.
Stones, 22, was sold to Pep Guardiola'sManchester City in the summer for a whopping £50m, and Everton are still trying to fill the void in central defence.
And Van Dijk, who was superb in Southampton's 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday, could well be the man at the top ofRonald Koeman's shopping-list.
The 25-year-old has been the subject of interest from a number of clubs this season, with both Manchester clubs also reportedly keen on the £40m-rated star.
But Koeman wants to reunite with the player that he signed for Southampton from Celtic just 14 months ago.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have also been linked to the Dutchman, but theMirrorclaim that their interest isn't serious.
4. Everton boss Ronald Koeman eyeing reunion with Southampton star Virgil van Dijkhttps://t.co/VN996ZO9zS pic.twitter.com/mTpLGlgBmr
Van Dijk signed a six-year deal at St Mary's in the summer, but this hasn't stopped overriding interest from a number of clubs who have been in awe of the towering centre-half's performances this season.
Toffees ownerFarhad Moshiri revealed last month that Koeman has a huge transfer kitty at this disposal, and that the funds are available if he wants to sign Van Dijk.
The Mirror quote him as saying:We tried to buy [Kalidou] Koulibaly of Napoli and they wanted £60m.
It is monopoly money. We went right to the asking price and they decided not to sell.�
Koeman, meanwhile, is focussing on the pitch, and he admits that there are concerns over Everton's form.
He said:I'm not worried about results I am worried about what I see on the pitch. How we start games, the way that we have difficulty to have good organisation in the team, to stop the qualities and strengths of opponents.�