Arsenal warned off bid for Swansea City striker Bafetimbi Gomis

Arsenal have been told to forget making a bid for Swansea City striker Bafetimbi Gomis during the January transfer window, but have been encouraged in pursuit of Celtic centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

Following Wilfried Bony's departure to Manchester City, Gomis is expected to be the stand-in for the Ivory Coast international until the Swans attempt to sign a replacement in the summer transfer window.

However, reports have emerged that Gomis is unsettled at the Liberty Stadium and after Arsenal allowed Lukas Podolski and Yaya Sanogo to leave on loan the club could yet draft in an additional forward.

However ex-Swansea forward Alan Curtis told Talksport: "Bafetimbi Gomis has an opportunity now, he's been very patient.

"The club will resist all offers they receive [for him]. During the summer we'll start the search again for someone to replace Bony."

Arsenal's priority in the January window is expected to revolve around signing a defender, with the club having lost Mathieu Debuchy for the next three months after he suffered a dislocated shoulder against Stoke City.

Netherlands Under-21 international Van Dijk has been heavily linked with a move to north London and he admits it is "great" to hear the Premier league club are interested.

"It's [my time at Celtic] gone awfully quickly," he told De Telegraaf.

"I have recently been thinking a bit about it [his career]. 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."