Arsenal have reportedly begun negotiations with the representative of Virgil van Dijk over a proposed move to the Emirates in the summer. The Southampton is currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier in January.
Van Dijk, 25, joined the Saints from Celtic for £13m in September 2015 and has since evolved into one of the most consistent centre-backs in the Premier League.
The Netherlands international was only rewarded with a fresh long-term deal last summer, but this has not diminished interest from his suitors which also include the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton.
According to The Star, the Gunners hold a significant advantage in the player’s pursuit after having held initial talks with Van Dijk’s agent Henk-Maarten Chin. Reports earlier in the week(as per Sun) claimed that Liverpool are ready to make a club record £50million bid for the Dutchman.
Earlier last month, Arsene Wenger admitted that the club lacked the physicality in the central defensive department, and this urged him to opt for the three-at-the-back system, something which London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have used with great success.
Van Dijk, 25, is well known for his commanding presence in the box, and Wenger could be willing to partner him alongside Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi at the heart of the defence – with Rob Holding and Gabriel to provide backup.
Nevertheless, the north London club will have to fend off interest from rivals Manchester City, who have also made contact with the player’s representative ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Dutch footballer is currently under contract until the summer of 2021, and this puts the Saints in a position to demand a £50m plus fee in order to offload their star performer.
Van Dijk may have kicked his final ball for the South Coast club this season after manager Claude Puel confirmed that the player may not be fit to take part in the final stages of the campaign.
Mesut Ozil is currently Arsenal’s most expensive signing after having arrived from Real Madrid for £42.5m back in the summer of 2013.
