Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Talisca, Virgil van Dijk

Arsene Wenger has already made mention that he will attempt to bolster his faulty defense in the January transfer window, but with just a 20 million pound budget. he’s going to have to pick and choose.

Names are being linked everywhere, from Mats Hummels to Tyrone Mings and the latest name, at least on the defensive side, is Virgil van Dijk, the 23-year old Dutchman. It became known that Wenger made a last ditch bid to sign the Celtic defender, but nothing materialized (probably because it was at the last minute and we were desperately after Danny Welbeck, who was also at the last minute).

Van Dijk would provide excellent cover. He’s 6’4″ and therefore an incredibly physical specimen capable of establishing himself in the box. He’s no Mats Hummels, but beggars can’t be choosers.

The other name that’s being thrown around is no defender at all, but rather a Brazilian forward by the name of Talisca.

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The 20-year old currently suits up for Benfica and leads all of Primeira Liga in goals scored thus far, with six.

The young Brazilian could be a future standout, but he won’t be cheap, not to mention that Jose Mourinho is hot on his tail as well. So Arsenal will have to pursue aggressively, something Wenger tends to shy away from.

Not only that, but in order to nab Talisca, Arsenal will also have to offload Lukas Podolski for around 17 million pounds (who would pay that?) and that puts Arsenal even further behind the clock. Plus, is 17 million for a virtually unknown commodity really a good idea? With Wenger, it usually is.

Another day, another handful of rumors. But as it always is with Wenger, he’s completely mum on any hints.

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