Manchester City are reportedly considering a January bid for Benfica center-back Ruben Dias as Pep Guardiola seeks a solution to his defensive conundrum.
A long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte has underpinned a stuttering start to the defence of their Premier League title.
And it appears that they are set to rival Manchester United in attempting to prise the highly- rated Dias from Portugal, according to The Mirror.
He is under contract until 2024 with the Portuguese club reportedly hoping to improve his terms to raise the release clause to £79m. City failed to strengthen at the heart of their defence in the summer despite the departure of captain Vincent Kompany.
That has been exacerbated by a cruciate ligament injury suffered by Laporte that will keep him out until the new year, while John Stones has also been absent.
United’s interest in the 22-year- old was reported by The Sun, this week. They made moves for the Portugal international in the summer but missed out.
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Dias made 85 appearances in his first two seasons at Benfica after graduating from the B team, and has earned 13 caps since making his senior international debut last year.