The Virgil Van Dijk transfer saga is one that has dragged on all summer, but many felt that the same conclusion would always arrive sooner or later.The Dutchman outgrew the south coast club and, similarly to Romelu Lukaku earlier this window, now craves Champions League football and a club with higher prestige.He made it quite clear early on in this summer that he would prefer a move to Liverpool, but the Reds had to take a step back in their pursuit of the 26-year-old after Southampton reported them to the Premier League for 'tapping up' their defender.With a £60 million price tag and only eyes for the red half of Merseyside, the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City - both of whom could still bid - were put off by the prospect.Whether his dream move to Liverpool comes to fruition or not, Van Dijk now appears desperate to leave the club one way or another after handing in a transfer request.However, according to Dominic King of the Daily Mail, Arsenal are surprise contenders for the former Celtic man's signature and have been described as "dark horses" in the race.

Would Wenger really spend that much money on a defender with Laurent Koscielny, Rob Holding, Per Mertesacker (although retiring at the end of the season), Gabriel and Shkodran Mustafi?

Furthermore, that deal would break Arsenal's transfer record by nearly £20m. It's all a bit hard to believe, but there's no doubt he would improve the Gunners.

Explaining why he handed in his request, Van Dijk released a statement yesterday.

Van Dijk said: "It is with regret that I can confirm I have today handed in a transfer request to leave Southampton Football Club.

"Unfortunately I feel I have no alternative after I was given notice of the Club's intention to impose a disciplinary sanction against me of a fine equivalent to 2 weeks wages.

"I will be appealing what I feel to be an unjustified sanction and their inability to follow the correct disciplinary protocol in due course.

"I have consistently relayed my feelings to senior management at Southampton in what I believed to be private and personal conversations. Disappointingly, these conversations have regularly found their way into the media."