Manchester City round-up: Virgil Van Dijk transfer race update; Oxford’s Marvin Johnson linked; Gabriel Jesus injury boost

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According to reports in the Mirror today, Manchester City could be set to miss out on the signing of Southampton’s in-demand defender Virgil van Dijk, with Chelsea closing in on the Saints star.

The report claims that Antonio Conte has made the Dutch centre-back his main priority in this summer’s transfer window, and the London club allegedly believe that they will secure their man after May.

Pep Guardiola had seen Van Dijk as integral to his summer spending spree as he looks to rebuild his squad, but the Blues are growing in confidence that the £50 million man will move to Stamford Bridge.

Despite his high price-tag, Conte will be given a big transfer budget once the season ends to ensure Chelsea can challenge in Europe next season; and it’s this that’s enticing the Dutchman into a move.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are reportedly one of a number of sides keeping tracks on League One Oxford United full-back Marvin Johnson as the Football League season comes to a close.

The Sun reports that City, along with fellow Premier League outfit Leicester City, have been watching the 26-year-old and scouts are expected to be present again when Oxford travel to Wembley this weekend.

Oxford rejected a reported seven-figure offer for Johnson during the January transfer window and it is believed there will be a large amount of interest in him when the window re-opens.

Speaking ahead of his side’s EFL Cup final, he said:

“For people to be talking about you then you must be doing something right.

“It’s just rumours and you have to get on with your football. You just have to keep your head down and keep doing what you’re doing. The more you see it, the more it should push you on.”

Johnson previously came through non-league after playing for Solihull Moors and Romulus before moving to Motherwell last summer for £650,000.

Aside from transfer speculation, injured forward Gabriel Jesus has given City a boost on the road to recovery after coming off of his crutches.

The Manchester Evening News claims that Jesus, who fractured his metatarsal back in February, has been seen around Manchester walking without support.

The 19-year-old settled in well at the Etihad Stadium during his first month at the club, scoring three times in four matches whilst impressing City boss Guardiola, as he replaced Sergio Aguero in the starting-line up.

With the initial assessment ruling the young Brazilian out for the remainder of the season, it’s now possible he could return for the final two Premier League matches at the beginning of May.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Serg Holohok.