Arsenal plan £8m Virgil van Dijk swoop

ARSENAL are understood to be preparing an £8 million January bid for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk.

By The Newsroom Monday, 13th October 2014, 11:04 am

Virgil van Dijk: wanted by Arsenal. Picture: Jane Barlow

Arsene Wenger sent his scouts to run the rule over the Dutch centre half in Celtic’s Europa League clash with Dinamo Zagreb, and received a glowing report.

The former Groningen defender had been linked with Sunderland and Southampton during the summer, with the Hoops knocking back all offers for the 23-year-old.

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Van Dijk was left out of the squad that drew 1-1 with Dundee after Ronny Deila felt deadline day speculation may have unsettled the Dutchman.

However, van Dijk has insisted that he was not looking for a move away from Celtic in the summer, and remains committed to the Parkhead club - but hinted that he would have moved if it had been to a Champions League club.

Celtic have already suggested they are in no hurry to sell their prize assets, after Fraser Forster joined Southampton for £10 million.