TBR View: 21-year-old Virgil van Dijk successor wants a new challenge, Arsenal must pounce

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It’s no secret that Arsenal could do with bolstering their defensive ranks this summer, the Gunners back line having been an Achilles’ heel for quite a while now.

Just today, the agent of a player described as similar to Liverpool icon Virgil van Dijk has confirmed that his client will leave his current club this summer.

Norwegian centre-back Kristoffer Ajer “will not extend his contract with Celtic and will leave this summer”, his representative Tore Pedersen is quoted by the Daily Record as saying.

Having signed in July 2016 as a free agent during Ronny Deila’s tenure with the Hoops, Ajer made a slow start to life at Parkhead.

However, the 21-year-old has since developed into an outstanding player and mainstay of Neil Lennon’s side, clocking up 49 appearances so far this season and 45 last term.

Van Dijk famously began his journey in British football with Celtic before moving to Southampton and then Liverpool, where he has developed into one of the greatest defenders in the world.

Standing 6ft 5in, Ajer is second to none when it comes to aerial prowess, calmly keeping high and long balls at bay and has a keen eye for a pass, helping work the ball out from the back.

In addition, the Norway international shares Van Dijk’s ability to carry the ball and break forward into midfield.

Celtic are also a side which enjoys dominating possession, something Mikel Arteta is implementing at Arsenal, which suggests the transition from the Hoops to the Gunners wouldn’t be a shock to Ajer’s system.

Ajer has been described by Bhoys legend John Hartson as the club’s number one defender (Glasgow Evening Times) and by Herald Scotland as having a playing style “strikingly similar” to VVD.

Given Ajer has two years left on his contract, Celtic aren’t likely to let him go for cheap – his Transfermarkt value is £2.7million but the Hoops aren’t likely to let him go for such a low amount – but his credentials and potential mean Arsenal should start making enquiries right away.