Arsene Wenger is considering a January swoop for Southampton centre-back Virgil van Dijk, though Arsenal face significant competition for his signature according to reports.
The Dutch defender has returned to the Saints starting XI after refusing to play for the club during the summer as he tried to force through a move to Liverpool.
Southampton were adamant that the 26-year-old would not be allowed to leave, though that stance appears to be softening and Liverpool, Manchester City and now Arsenal are ready to test their resolve.
According to The Times, Wenger is weighing up whether to strengthen his defence when the transfer window reopens and sees Van Dijk as the ideal signing.
However, if Southampton are to part with the Netherlands international, they will demand a world-record fee for a defender of £70 million.
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That would make him Arsenal’s most expensive signing ever, eclipsing the £50m paid to Lyon for Alexandre Lacazette in the summer.
Wenger is not the only interested party, with Pep Guardiola intimating this week that City could be active in the January window as they look to reinforce a back-line that has been ravaged by injuries.
He also remains Jurgen Klopp’s first choice to bolster the Liverpool defence, while relations between the Reds and Southampton have been repaired after accusations of tapping up in the summer.
The Saints appear increasingly resigned to losing Van Dijk, especially as he sees his future away from St Mary’s, and are confident they could reinvest the £70m they stand to pocket.
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