Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Virgil van Dijk, Benjamin Mendy

Manchester City have reportedly beaten Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

According to Neil Moxley of the Sunday Mirror, the Netherlands international is on his way to the Etihad Stadium in a deal worth £60 million.

"Despite overtures from Liverpool and Chelsea, the Premier League's big-hitters have simply blown their competitors out of the water by making a mammoth offer to the centre-half," Moxley said. "Van Dijk is set to trouser over £200,000 per week in a monster five-year deal that will make him the world's most expensive defender."

The news will be a blow for the Reds and the Blues, who have each long been linked with a move for the 25-year-old. Liverpool are said to have been confident of completing a transfer at one stage.

Although the figures quoted are stratospheric, freelance journalist Callum Wright believes Van Dijk is worth the outlay:

While Liverpool and Chelsea supporters may be disappointed to see the Dutchman go elsewhere, those who frequent the Etihad will be delighted if Van Dijk does end up donning sky blue. He's exactly what the team needs to kick on.

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Last term, City lacked a quality defensive structure to complement their attacking flair, with question marks over brittle skipper Vincent Kompany, the volatile Nicolas Otamendi and capricious John Stones. Van Dijk is the thoroughbred defender City boss Pep Guardiola needs to build his defence around.

Per WhoScored.com, while he operates with some flair, the Southampton man relishes defensive duties:

Not only is he in the peak years of his career, but Van Dijk is also physical, calm in possession and attuned to the unique demands of English football. He may be a costly acquisition, but signing this type of player is necessary for City.

Benjamin Mendy Approach Rejected

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According to Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph, Manchester City have had an offer rejected for AS Monaco left-back Benjamin Mendy.

"The scale of the bid is not yet clear, but the French champions are understood to value the full-back at around £40 million—the minimum they will accept for any of their players," Burt reported. "It can be assumed City have offered less than this figure."

City are said to be eyeing Mendy as part of their defensive facelift, with Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta having all left the club this summer.

The Monaco man would rejuvenate City's left flank if he does arrive, as he's a physical presence who loves to raid forward. Per Squawka Football, the 22-year-old enjoyed quite the campaign:

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe is a fan of the France international, although he suggested Mendy is not a typical Guardiola footballer:

There isn't too much subtlety to Mendy's game. The Monaco man carries the ball forward in straight lines, seeks to bully opponents with his physical qualities and always tries to whip balls into the penalty area whenever he gets a yard of space.

Perhaps that's exactly what this City team needs. Further forward, they have so many skilful and inventive manipulators of the ball. A player like Mendy, who is direct and forceful in the way he attacks from the left flank, would give the Etihad Stadium side another dangerous outlet in the final third.