Arsenal transfer news: The defenders Wenger has his eyes on
Arsenal's capitulation in Tuesday's Champions League draw against Anderlecht underlined the North London club's need to strengthen defensively.
Arsene Wenger has been criticised for failing to replace Thomas Vermaelen and with injuries to Mathieu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny, as well as a suspension for Calum Chambers, Nacho Monreal will probably be forced to start at centre-back against Hull on Saturday, with Hector Bellerin expected to fill in at right-back, a 19-year-old who has never started a Premier League game.
It is believed the Gunners will step up their search for a central defender next week during a scouting meeting, with Chris Smalling, Virgil van Dijk and Ron Vlaar among the targets. Can one of these players solve Arsenal's defensive problems? talkSPORT takes a look at the latest news...
Chris Smalling
Date of birth: 22 November 1989 (age 24)
Born: Greenwich, London, England
Club: Manchester United
Club honours: Premier League – 2010/11, 2012/13
International: 12 England caps
What's the latest:
Smalling has emerged as a £10million target in the January transfer window and it is thought United boss Louis Van Gaal would be willing to move the former Fulham man on. Smalling's dismissal against Manchester City last weekend did not go down well with the Dutchman, while Arsenal reportedly wanted the England international in a swap deal as part of United's failed move for Vermaelen in the summer.
Did you know?
Smalling began his career at non-league Maidstone United in April 2007, less than three years later he was transferred to United via Fulham, representing a meteoric rise to the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk
Date of birth: 8 July 1991 (age 23)
Born: Breda, Netherlands
Club: Celtic
Club honours: Scottish Premiership – 2013/14
International: Three Netherlands U21 caps (2011-13)
What's the latest:
The Gunners reportedly bid £7million for the Dutchman on transfer deadline day and a £10million move has been mooted for the January window. Celtic would be unlikely to reject such an offer having signed the defender for just £2million from FC Groningen in 2013 and van Dijk was recently quoted as saying “there is no rush to leave buy you never know in the future.”
Did you know?
Van Dijk was named Celtic's Players' Player of the Year in his debut year at the club and he was part of a defence that went 1,215 minutes without conceding in the SPL.
Ron Vlaar
Date of birth: 16 February 1985 (age 29)
Born: Hensbroek, Netherlands
Club: Aston Villa
Club honours: KNVB Cup – 2007/08 (Feyenoord)
International: 31 Netherlands caps, one goal
What's the latest:
Arsenal were keen on signing the Dutch centre-back in the summer, after he excelled during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and it is thought Vlaar commands a £10million price tag. If the Gunners do pursue the Dutchman, they are likely to face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who have their own defensive issues, while their manager Louis Van Gaal coached Vlaar in Brazil.
Did you know?
In 2005, a young Vlaar was spotted in London visiting Martin Jol's Tottenham Hotspur with his father and agent with a view to a move, but he eventually signed for Feyenoord on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
Arsenal fans, who do want out of Smalling, van Dijk or Vlaar? Are there any other centre-backs you should be targeting?