Arsenal and Manchester City Tussle for Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk - Report

Arsenal and Manchester City are considering a bid in signing Virgil van Dijk from Celtic before the transfer window shuts down at the end of the month.

According to the Daily Express, the Gunners and the Citizens are pursuing the Dutchman who is valued at £10m by the Scottish champions. The defender was snapped up by Celtic in a four-year deal last summer after impressing for Eredivisie side FC Groningen.

The 22-year-old has been a regular at the heart of defence for Neil Lennon's side scoring three goals while featuring in 29 matches in all competitions for the Hoops in the current campaign.

Arsenal already have three defenders with Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen. Injuries to any could leave Arsene Wenger with no reliable option as he attempts to end the north London clubs' eight season trophy drought.

Despite being linked with a move away from the Emirates over the past few months, Vermaelen has expressed no intentions to leave the Gunners mid-season. Should the Belgium international make an exit from the Emirates in January, a move for Van Dijk could be an ideal replacement for Arsenal skipper.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have plenty of options at the back with Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasic, Martin Demichelis and Joleon Lescott.

Manuel Pellegrini has made it clear the he will not sell any of his defenders in the ongoing transfer window. But it would not deny the Chilean from making defensive signings in order to bring fresh legs to the squad.

The Defender hopes to be a part of the Dutch squad for the summer World Cup in Brazil and is hopeful that Louis van Gaal will reward his performances with a call up to the national team in the near future.

"I have never been invited so I think the chances are not so big for me. That's unfortunate but I have to move on, keep playing good games and maybe, you never know, the chance will come," Van Dijk explained.

Celtic Boss is highly impressed by his summer signing and has praised the 22-year-old to become a regular feature for the national side and has tipped Van Dijk to make it to Brazil with the Dutch squad.

"It's inevitable, if he keeps going and progressing the way he is, that he'll become a Dutch international. I'd like to think Virgil would get a chance with his country," Lennon said.