Arsenal Transfer News: Moussa Sissoko Tips Move, Latest Virgil Van Dijk Rumours

Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has welcomed reports linking him with an Arsenal switch this week, while Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk has hinted he won't be leaving the Scots until summer.

Arsene Wenger has been tied to a potential move for Sissoko, but the Magpie made his feelings unequivocally clear this weekend when talking to French football programme Telefoot (h/t Telegraph's Luke Edwards):

"

The transfer market is open, so things can happen any day, but I am focused on Newcastle. If anything should happen, it will. I hope I’ll leave for a bigger club one day, but I don’t know when. England is my priority.

If [Arsene] Wenger calls, I’ll have a man-to-man discussion with him and then we’ll see. Arsenal has always been the club of my heart. I hope I’ll improve to win the Champions League one day. I don’t want to set limits to myself. I want to go higher. That’s my goal.

"

Newcastle may not be so pleased to hear such a prominent member of their squad speaking so openly about his intentions when it could lead to tensions arising at St James' Park.

Edwards goes on to describe Sissoko's comments as the start of his "exit strategy," a year after Yohan Cabaye left the north-east outfit to join Paris Saint-Germain:

The acquisition of Sissoko would help Wenger in adding central-midfield options while Jack Wilshere continues his bid to return from injury, but fans may understandably prefer to see more defensively inclined players arrive.

Based on reports from L'Equipe (h/t Daily Star's Bruce Archer) and Ligue1.com's Matt Spiro, Bleacher Report's James McNicholas recently discussed a number of speculated and rumored targets for the north Londoners, identifying Saint-Etienne captain Loic Perrin as a plausible option:

Sissoko has been an important player for Newcastle once again this season, but morale is low at St James' Park, with the club having lost its first two games under caretaker manager John Carver.

Eurosport tells us that interest in Sissoko is high, but B/R's Jonathan Johnson quotes PSG boss Laurent Blanc as saying the player isn't in their sights:

Unless Sissoko gets his move this winter, it could be an embarrassing second half to the season with a player clearly willing to jump ship.

That being said, Wenger has yet to make any move on the midfield asset but will assuredly be pleased to know he'd be eager to join up if he did choose to make good on speculation.

EuroFootball/Getty Images

One less certain target for the French tactician is Celtic's Van Dijk, who says it's more likely he'll leave the Bhoys this summer rather than in the middle of their season.

Speaking to The Herald (h/t Daily Star's Nick Lustig), the centre-back said:

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You never know in football, but for now Celtic will not co-operate with a departure in this transfer period. It would be a boost for my career if I could make a step up, but I have no problem if I remain a little longer in Scotland. Perhaps in the summer something happens.

"

Again, Wenger will be delighted to know of the defender's apparent availability, but he could do with Van Dijk's talents now and not after season's end.

The Gunners aren't the only interested party either, with Daily Mail's Simon Jones claiming that Sunderland have readied an £8 million bid for his talents, while Goal.com reveal the player's alleged price tag:

Since moving from Groningen in 2013, the former Netherlands under-21 international has taken his game to new heights, enjoying a higher profile in the European eye.

OptaJohan illustrates just what a defensive beacon Van Dijk was for Celtic in their European campaign this season:

With Laurent Koscielny recently making his return to fitness, Wenger at least has some reason to be upbeat regarding his defensive ranks, but a young talent of Van Dijk's promise wouldn't go astray.

Should another wave of injuries hit central defence, Arsenal are at risk of being found short again, but they will have to wait if it's Van Dijk's signature they seek.