Arsene Wenger is looking to add to the Arsenal squad before the end of the transfer window and the Gunners chief has various defensive minded players on his list of targets.

The Emirates manager has wanted to add a versatile defender/midfielder for the past few weeks, since selling former club captain Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona earlier in the summer, and he could get his wish this week.

Dutchman flying in?

The Daily Star believe Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk could be the answer the Gunners defensive problems and a move for the Dutchman could be agreed for £10 million.

After Celtic’s failure to make the Champions League group stages it is believed the Dutch defender will exit Scotland.

Arsenal are now weighing up a move for van Dijk, especially after the defender revealed he wants to be playing in the Champions League this season.

Celtic ace wants to play in Champions League

The Celtic ace told Dutch broadcaster NOS: “It is difficult to say if this defeat will have an influence on my future. I want to play at the highest level

"I am a Celtic player for now, but we will have to see what happens. The Champions League is the highest level, and now we have gone into the Europa League. It is still European football, but on a somewhat lower level.

"Let’s see what happens. The transfer window will be open until Monday night.”

The quotes from van Dijk suggest he will leave Celtic soon and that could be encouraging for Arsenal, who are chasing various other defensive players as well.

Greek on Wenger’s list

Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos is another defender on Wenger’s wishlist, according to the Metro.

They insist Arsenal have bid £10.9 milliion for the 26-year-old, who can play in defence and midfield.

The sticking point, however, is that the German club would like closer to £20 million for the Greek defenders signature and it is unsure if the Gunners would be willing to fork that much out.

No Carvalho to Arsenal

One player that may not be moving to the Emirates, though, is Portuguese ace William Carvalho as Manchester United have joined the race to sign the 22-year-old.

The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has been linked with numerous clubs throughout the summer, with Arsenal reportedly hoping to sign him.

However, following Manchester United’s disastrous start to the season it is reported by the Times that they will try to beat Arsenal to the signature of Carvalho.

Although the Gunners are desperate to sign a defensive minded player, with the Manchester side ready to splash the club, it is expected that Louis van Gaal’s club will beat Wenger to the signing of Carvalho.

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