Virgil van Dijk is wanted by his old manager Ronald Koeman (Picture: Getty)

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is keen on a reunion with Virgil van Dijk and could pay £40million to beat the likes of Manchester United to a transfer.

The Dutchman worked with the in-form centre-back during his time as Southampton boss, and could get the financial backing to bring him with him to Goodison Park in January.

United have also been linked with Van Dijk after his fine recent form in the Premier League, but Everton are in desperate need of a replacement for John Stones, who joined Manchester City in the summer.

Koeman is keen to strengthen his defence (Picture: Getty)

Southampton want similarly big money for their star player, but the Daily Mirror claims that won’t put Everton off pursuing him this winter.




The Toffees were notably in the hunt for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the last transfer window, despite the Senegal international’s eye-watering £60m asking price.

If Everton do pay Southampton’s asking price for Van Dijk, it would be the most expensive purchase in their history, eclipsing the £28m paid for Romelu Lukaku in 2014.

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