Van Dijk already has replacement, will cost 39 million and could arrive as early as tomorrow

Manchester United's party could be spoiled at any moment. Erik ten Hag had made a bid several weeks ago to sign South Korean defender Kim Min-jae, who currently plays for SSC Napoli. Although they were on the right track and the defender is well liked by the Old Trafford board, the surprise arrival of Liverpool could put a brake on the Red Devils' aspirations, especially after Virgil Van Dijk's injury that will keep him out of action for several weeks.

The Reds' manager keeps an eye on Italy, always keeping an eye on all the stars and talents emerging from Serie A teams, especially those who can really offer something new and fit in well at Liverpool. Although for a while the sights were set on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, his transfer seems to have gone 'cold'.

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Now, Klopp's new target is precisely one of the players who has caught the eye of the 'Theatre of Dreams' management. Kim Min-jae's termination clause is £39 million, a reasonable price considering that United are considering making him one of their first-choice centre-backs given Erik ten Hag's "doubts" about defenders such as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk has a "more serious than expected" hamstring injury and could be out for several weeks. According to media reports, the Dutchman will have to see a specialist to determine the exact extent of the injury he picked up against Brentford this week, but the prognosis is worse than first thought and could compromise him for the next few weeks of competition.

<strong>Virgil to see a specialist</strong>

Van Dijk, who played for the Netherlands at the World Cup until the quarter-finals, was withdrawn at half-time in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford and, according to Jürgen Klopp after the game, it was not a serious injury. However, Van Dijk will see a specialist and there is speculation in England that the injury could keep him out until at least February. That leaves Klopp with Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Phillips as available centre-backs.