Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Virgil Van Dijk, Antoine Griezmann, More
The Premier League is almost ready to return following the international break, and fans have been forced to fill their time in between fixtures by reading up on their favourite team's transfer plans for the January window.
The international break traditionally sees several new names linked to different clubs, and Arsenal are no exception. Defensive reinforcements and younger players are the obvious choice, so let's have a look at the latest rumours surrounding the Gunners' transfer plans.
Virgil Van Dijk Offer in the Making
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Arsenal will offer Celtic £8 million for Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, according to the Daily Star's Alex Harris.
The 23-year-old is rumoured to be a target for Manchester United, but Arsene Wenger has also been scouting the defender ahead of a January move. Celtic boss Ronny Deila maintains the player's future lies in Scotland, despite him being snubbed for a match against Dundee last month:
"I have no concerns about his commitment. I can honestly say I’m really happy about his situation and have no concerns.
I can see his body language and he is happy. Now he is focused on getting good results with Celtic and getting better.
I hope the supporters accept that as well. I understand they were not happy he didn’t play at Dundee, but that was my decision. Virgil was not 100 per cent in his head. But now he is.
"
Van Dijk has a tendency always to play forward, and while his physique is that of a typical Premier League centre-back, his attacking mindset could also see him play as a holding midfielder.
The Dutchman has impressed for Celtic since making the move in 2013, with the biggest question marks surrounding his play being his readiness to make the step up in quality from the Scottish league to the Premier League.
An £8 million price tag would be relatively low for a young, exciting defender and allow Wenger to fill the need for defensive depth with a player who could have an immediate impact and long-term potential.
Antoine Griezmann Reveals Arsenal Snub
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann told France Football (h/t Goal's George Ankers) that he turned down offers from Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain to play for Diego Simeone and the current La Liga champions, saying:
"Why Spain and not elsewhere? This is my championship, my home. I'm happy here and Atletico is a great club. The [champions] were willing to pay €30 million for me.
"
I had the boss on the phone. He motivated me and said the club really wanted me. I knew that I was coming here to learn.
Was it weird when PSG and Arsenal were also interested? [Atletico are] still the champions of Spain!
I needed a club like that and a coach like Diego Simeone to progress. I always demands intensity in training. That's my style and I like it.
The 23-year-old emerged as one of the hottest wingers in Europe during his final two seasons with Real Sociedad and impressed at the 2014 World Cup for France, prompting interest from several clubs.
PSG were always expected to be the favourites, and Arsenal reportedly also made an approach, but the Frenchman shocked everyone by choosing Atletico, a club that had hardly been mentioned as a candidate for his services.
Griezmann hasn't enjoyed the greatest start to the 2014-15 season, as he is yet to record a single goal or assist for his new club in La Liga action, per WhoScored.com.
He only broke through in the last two seasons, however, and with plenty of time left to develop, he is still regarded as one of Europe's best talents out wide.
Gunners in for Free Agent Stephane Sparagna
La Marseillaise (h/t 101greatgoals.com's Benjamin Newman) claim the Gunners will battle French side Rennes for Olympique Marseille's Stephane Sparagna as soon as his current contract runs out in December.
The 19-year-old centre-back/holding midfielder has been hampered by injuries during his short career but impressed greatly for the French giants when fit. He was Marseille's star man in defence when healthy last season but has started just a single match in 2014-15, per WhoScored.
His status as a free agent means he could be a tremendous bargain, and his potential makes a move a no-brainer. Injury concerns should temper the excitement, however, as the Gunners have already had too many bad experiences with injuries in the past seasons.
La Marseillaise claim he has no intention of leaving his current club, and Arsenal's offer would likely have to be substantial to pique his interest. With his spotty injury history, it would be safer for the Gunners to look elsewhere in January.
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