Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is already starting to draw up his plans for the January transfer window by eyeing up moves for Manchester City’s Matija Nastasic and Virgil van Dijk of Celtic.
The Gunners are currently short on defensive cover with six, after selling Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, and see the pair as options.
Wenger had insisted that Vermaelen would be replaced before the transfer window closed, but that has not been the case. Now a loan deal or two may be required if they suffer more defensive shortages soon.
Nastasic has been left out of City’s 21-man Champions League squad, reduced from 25 after the Uefa FFP restrictions came into force which City broke. Tottenham are also rumoured to be interested in the Serbian.
Van Dijk almost joined Arsenal in the summer, but a move could not be completed before the window closed. Now the Gunners may well come back with renewed interest in the Dutchman.
Steve Osborne @SteveOsborne23
