Report: Guardiola asks Manchester City to sign Sanchez, Van Dijk, Weigl

Pep's making a list and checking it twice; a few new stars would really be nice.

Manager Pep Guardiola has asked the deal-makers at Manchester City for a few additions to his roster ahead of the January transfer window, identifying Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk as his priority targets, Ed Aarons and Jamie Jackson of The Guardian report.

Guardiola has also asked for new central midfielders to cover for Fernandinho, according to the Guardian, who add Borussia Dortmund's Julian Weigl is one such option.

The Catalan tactician is reportedly keen on increasing the depth and quality of his undefeated Premier League-leading, record-setting team in January, even with an 11-point gap separating City from crosstown rival Manchester United at the top of the table.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly stated he intends to keep Sanchez through the year. City is willing to wait until next summer to sign the Chile star, though the Guardian reports the club will take a "renewed approach" in the winter. Van Dijk's pursuit, however, has a longer-term approach.

The Dutch defender returned to the Saints' starting XI under manager Mauricio Pellegrino after failing to secure a move away from the club last summer. The Guardian reports City is reportedly unlikely to pursue the 26-year-old in January and see him as a replacement for oft-injured centre-back Vincent Kompany.

Manchester City hosts Bournemouth on Saturday with a chance to extend its league winning streak to 17 matches.