Arsenal transfer news: Virgil van Dijk could join in Theo Walcott swap deal - report

ARSENAL could sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton - because they want Theo Walcott in return, according to Emanuele Giulianelli.

Steven Gerrard backs Liverpool to sign Virgil van Dijk

Arsenal are among the clubs considering a late move for the Southampton defender.

Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen but Arsenal have something Saints want in return: Walcott.

Van Dijk submitted a transfer request earlier this summer after Liverpool had a bid rejected and were accused of tapping him up.

But the transfer stories have refused to go away and Liverpool could still make a late move.

A move for Van Dijk would need to be kick-started by other clubs for Liverpool to get involved because of a fear of being reported to the Premier League again.

Virgil van DijkGETTY

Virgil van Dijk could leave Southampton this summer

But, now it appears Arsenal may have a better chance of doing a deal with Southampton.

Giulianelli, an Italian journalist, claims Saints would be willing to deal with Arsenal if they can get Walcott back to the club.

He told Tribal Football: “Talking about Virgil Van Dijk, the deal with Southampton for the Dutch defender is not easy, because the Saints don't have the urgency to sell, so they are free to wait for the right offer and, in the meantime, can afford the luxury of even keeping him out of the squad. 

“But Arsenal have the right key to convince Southampton: Theo Walcott has been a target of the Saints for a long time and they will ask Wenger to include the winger in the deal.”

Walcott left Southampton for Arsenal in 2006 but has failed to really live up to the potential that saw him picked for England for the World Cup that same year before he’d even played a Premier League match.

He has been limited to two substitute appearances for Arsenal this season and was not included in the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

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