Arsenal have been linked with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk this summer. Are they really looking for a centre-back? If so, is it the Dutchman they need?

Van Dijk is currently training alone after Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino admitted the defender wanted to leave and wasn’t in the correct psychological state to play for Southampton.

“Now he is not involved with the team because psychologically he is not 100 per cent. If you are not 100 per cent with the team I need to work with the players who are 100 per cent to defend Southampton. It’s easy for me,” he said, as reported by the Telegraph.

Now according to Goal, Arsenal are also interested in van Dijk. Liverpool could also make a fresh approach for the defender, despite the hot water they landed themselves in earlier in the summer.

The Reds released a statement on their official website apologising for their conduct and formally dropping their interest in van Dijk, but rumours of the defender moving to Anfield have persisted.

Although Arsenal have been linked with van Dijk numerous times, most of the reports originated from tabloids with Arsenal’s name thrown in with every other big club in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, if Southampton are hoping to offload an unhappy player, there could be an opportunity for the Gunners to get involved. Arsenal’s centre-back situation is one that hasn’t received much attention this summer.

On paper, it looks like Arsenal have plenty of options for their three-man back line next season. However, I’m of the view that these options are not as strong or as reliable as they could possibly be.

Per Mertesacker will be retiring at the end of next season to become Arsenal’s new academy director, which means the Londoners will need to buy a replacement.

In the immediate short-term, Laurent Koscielny seems to be picking up more and more injuries, Gabriel is injured and unreliable and Calum Chambers could be sold to Crystal Palace.

It wouldn’t take much for Arsenal to be forced to use either Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac, their two left wing-back options, in their back three.

While van Dijk would require a big investment, it would benefit Arsenal to sign him this summer. At 26, he’s approaching the prime of his career and he has the physical and technical qualities to play in a back three.

He, along with Koscielny and Mustafi, could form a formidable trio next season, and it would save Arsenal the trouble of signing a defender in 12 months. If the opportunity is there now, they should take it.