Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Virgil Van Dijk, Top Rumours Circling Gunners

Arsenal are ready to increase their efforts in the search for defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window, according to reports, while Anderlecht's Dennis Praet is drawing rave reviews, leading the club to set a price tag for potential suitors.

The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel has learned the Gunners will hold a special scouting meeting next week, where scouts will present Arsene Wenger with full reports on a number of targets ahead of January offers.

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The list includes Celtic's Virgil van Dijk, Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar and Manchester United's Chris Smalling.

Mokbel also believes Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho could once again be a target for the club, after much speculation during the summer window.

Dutch international Van Dijk seems the most likely candidate, thanks to his age, potential and open courtship of the club. As reported by Sky Sports (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson), he said:

"

Arsenal are an amazing club.

It’s a big club with a great history. I’m happy here just now and I want to play well and we’ll see what happens in the future.

Until there are bids I can’t say [a] thing. There is no rush to leave but you never know in the future.

"

The 23-year-old has impressed for the Scots in this year's Europa League and appears ready for the move to a bigger club, and his blend of athleticism and size would make him an intriguing fit as a centre-back or even a holding midfielder.

Ron Vlaar's contract will expire at the end of the season, and the Dutchman is expected either to re-sign with Villa or leave the club in January. Manchester United are expected to make a play for the 29-year-old, and the Red Devils have a big trump card in the shape of Louis van Gaal, Vlaar's national team coach.

It was during the 2014 World Cup and under Van Gaal that Vlaar's star shone brightest, so a reunion with the tactical mastermind could be appealing for the defender. Villa chairman Randy Lerner is adamant he and Fabian Delph are not for sale, however, via the Daily Telegraph's John Percy.

A spokesman told Percy that Lerner has no intention of selling even if it means both walk for free at the end of the season, as the club will need both to avoid relegation in 2014-15.

Smalling could be an option if the Red Devils decide to upgrade their centre-back situation in January, leaving the England international as the odd man out. He'd represent little more than depth for the Gunners, however, and doesn't come across as the ideal transfer target.

Meanwhile, Belgian youngster Praet's strong showings against Arsenal in the Champions League have sparked interest from a host of European clubs, including the Gunners.

According to Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch), the club are fully aware of the interest and have set a minimum price for the 20-year-old midfielder: €10 million.

Aad de Mos, a Dutch football analyst specialising in the Belgian League, told the newspaper he believes Praet has world-class potential and that €10 million would be a bargain (quotes translated by the author):

"

Praet is the No. 10 every club wants. I'm convinced he has what it takes to become world-class. Really. When he played that one aerial pass against Arsenal, I saw shades of (Marco) Reus. He could be his successor. And Praet is an exceptional talent with incredible potential. Against Arsenal, it looked like he could have played on one leg.

[...] If you know PSV won't sell Memphis Depay, a winger,  for less than €20 million, €10 million is not enough for Praet. Between 10 and 20 would be more logical.

[...] He's in a great situation right now with Anderlecht, he can develop there by playing in the Champions League and make sure he's ready for Euro 2016 with Belgium.

"

Praet received his first call-up to the national team for their double header against Iceland and Wales, a reward for his excellent performances in the 2014-15 campaign, as shared by HLN's Kristof Terreur:

It has taken Praet longer than expected to make good on his potential, but much of that has to do with former manager John van den Brom playing the youngster out on the left wing, instead of in the centre of the pitch.

Fans are already discussing the new Belgium international as a potential successor to Mesut Ozil, and while it's far too early to start claiming Praet is a player of that calibre, his excellent form and obvious potential make for an intriguing transfer target.

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