Manchester City have reportedly joined Manchester United in the race to complete a deal for Benfica defender Ruben Dias.

Dias emerged on the radar of several top sides after breaking into the Benfica first team in 2017, with the 22-year-old making 85 appearances in all competitions for the Lisbon club.

Pep Guardiola recognises the need for reinforcements in central defence after Vincent Kompany's departure and a serious injury to Aymeric Laporte has left the Premier League champions short in that area.

According to Manchester Evening News, both Manchester clubs will do battle to secure the defender's signature next summer.

The Red Devils are said to have tracked Dias for some time, with the club sending scouts to watch the Portuguese play in the Europa League knockout phases last season.

However, it is claimed that Dias, who has a release clause of £59m, turned down a move to Old Trafford in the summer after recently penning a new contract with the club.