Manchester City have cooled their interest in Liverpool target Virgil van Dijk as they are unwilling to meet Southampton's likely £60m asking price for the Dutchman.
Liverpool are leading the chase for Van Dijk, who it has been claimed wants to join Jurgen Klopp's men, but Manchester City have also been interested as Pep Guardiola looks to boost his defensive options.
Now though the Citizens have cooled their interest, according to the BBC, as they are not willing to pay the sum which would be needed to take Van Dijk to the Etihad Stadium.
The development would appear to leave Liverpool in pole position for Van Dijk, despite interest from Chelsea, but the Saints are to report the Reds to the Premier League over an alleged illegal approach for the player.
The Saints feel Liverpool are trying to unsettle Van Dijk and are ready to rebuff any official proposal Liverpool make for the defender.
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Reds boss Klopp is claimed to be keen to take the 25-year-old to Anfield, with the Liverpool manager wanting to strengthen his backline.
Southampton will be aware that any fee they bank for Van Dijk would be subject to a ten per cent reduction as Celtic are entitled to ten per cent of any fee received for the Dutchman.
The defender missed Southampton's EFL Cup final loss against Manchester United earlier this year through injury.
