Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk says that it is great to be linked with Arsenal, and hopes his club will let him leave if a good offer comes in from England.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is looking for a centre-back this January, and could bid for the 23-year-old Netherlands youth international.
“It’s gone awfully quickly,” said Van Dijk of his time in Scotland, after signing with the Glasgow club in 2013. Having moved to Britain from the Eredivisie he is now considering the next stage in his career.
“I have recently been thinking a bit about it,” he admitted to De Telegraaf. “I am now 23 and have played at Willem II, FC Groningen and Celtic and am now linked to clubs like Arsenal. Isn’t that great?
“There are a lot of clubs interested, but Celtic is holding on to a big transfer fee. The club is clear: they don’t want to let me go in the winter, because we’re playing for four trophies.
“I understand the point of view from the club and I see it as a compliment that they don’t want to let me go. But we have to be realistic. If there’s a nice club from England, we have to talk. I want to develop myself as a player, that’s for sure.”
Celtic are second in the Scottish Premier League, four points behind leaders Aberdeen, and face Hamilton in their next league game on Saturday.