Arsenal Trying To Trump Chelsea & Liverpool After Opening Talks To Sign £50m Star

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the final weeks of the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal have entered the race to sign Virgil van Dijk…

Arsenal are ready to battle-it-out with Chelsea and Liverpool after holding talks with Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk about a possible move to the Emirates, according to a report in The Sun.

Van Dijk’s future at St Mary’s is in serious doubt as he’s been training away from the main squad for several weeks after handing in a formal transfer request earlier this month which expressed his desire to join a bigger club.

The Dutch international has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool all summer but the Telegraph reported last week that Chelsea were hoping to lure van Dijk to Stamford Bridge.

Jurgen Klopp’s men were forced to issue a public apology after Southampton reported them to the Premier League for tapping-up the defender but van Dijk is believed to remain keen on moving to Anfield.

Several media outlets have suggested that Southampton will refuse to do business with the Merseysiders out of principle due to their conduct earlier in the summer which appeared to put Chelsea in pole position.

Antonio Conte is desperate to further strengthen his squad during the closing stages of the window and van Dijk would be a superb addition if the Blues were able to pull off a deal.

However, it looks like Arsenal have now thrown their hat in to the ring as The Sun is citing Fox Sports News reporter James Dodd as claiming that the Gunners have held talks with van Dijk and his representatives about a shock move to the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger is under pressure to bring in more signings this summer and he offloaded Gabriel to Valencia last week so the Arsenal boss could be lining-up van Dijk as a possible replacement.

Southampton maintain their stance that the 26-year-old won’t be sold but it’s difficult to see how his relationship with the club can be repaired after such a public fall-out so I wouldn’t be surprised if a deal could still be done.

However, it’s not going to be cheap as The Sun claim Southampton would want at least £50m in order to cash-in on van Dijk while other reports suggest the fee could even reach £70m.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but I think van Dijk would be a sensational signing if Arsenal, Chelsea or indeed Liverpool were able to seal a deal before the window slams shut.