Arsenal have moved ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City in the pursuit of Southampton defender, Virgil Van Dijk according to reports.
The Gunners are currently on dry spell in the Premier League and Arsene Wenger has been criticised for his side’s failure in the league with sessions of the fans calling for a end of his long-term reign at the Emirates.
There are suggestions that the Arsenal board have told the Frenchman to re-invent himself at the club or might have to leave, with speculations that Wenger is ready to splash the cash to bring in top players to the club next season.
According to the Daily Star, the Gunners have started negotiation with Van Dijk in a bid to sign him ahead of their rivals next summer.
The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are said to be monitoring the defender’s situation and might also move for him next summer.
The 25-year-old defender joined the Saints in 2015 from Celtic and has been key performer for them, sparking interest from several clubs in the Premier League. There were speculation during the last January transfer window that Chelsea and Liverpool will swoop for the Dutchman next summer having failed in their initial attempts to lure him.
