Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £45m bid for Southampton's in-demand centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
The 26-year-old joined Southampton from Celtic in the summer of 2015, and has scored seven times in 68 appearances for the Saints since his arrival from Scottish football.
Liverpool have been credited with a long-standing interest in the Netherlands international, while Manchester City and Chelsea have also been mentioned in the same breath as the highly-rated defender.
Southampton are said to be demanding £60m for Van Dijk, but according to The Express, Arsenal will launch a £45m bid this week as head coach Arsene Wenger looks to boost his options in central defence.
Van Dijk, who is widely expected to leave Southampton in this summer's transfer window, missed the last four months of the 2016-17 campaign with an ankle injury.
