---
title: "Arsenal enter the race for Virgil van Dijk"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/columns/arsenal-enter-race-virgil-van-dijk/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "Columns"
published: "2017-07-11T10:57:48Z"
modified: "2017-07-11T10:57:48Z"
---

# Arsenal enter the race for Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool are still pretty confident they can sign £60m-rated Virgil van Dijk from Southampton this summer after even after the debacle that transpired earlier in the transfer window regarding the ‘tapping up’ of the defender.

Chelsea were interested in the player, but they have since signed Antonio Rudiger from Roma, while Manchester City have also seemingly cooled their interest, leaving the Reds in the driving seat to sign the Dutchman.

However, they could be about to face fresh competition from another Premier League side as Arsenal are now being linked with the former Celtic standout.

The [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4678234/Arsenal-ready-splash-cash-45m-Thomas-Lemar.html) report that the Gunners could make a move for a new centre-back this summer and that van Dijk has emerged as a ‘prime target’ for Arsenal after a proposed move to Liverpool stalled.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool have problems defensively, and with the Gunners preparing to make a permanent move to a back three formation, the addition of another centre-back could prove useful, especially with Per Mertesacker retiring at the end of the season.

Jurgen Klopp has made van Dijk one of his top targets if not his biggest priority this summer, and news of Arsenal’s alleged interest will not have gone down well.