Liverpool are reportedly open to selling club captain Virgil van Dijk in a surprise move this summer, according to TEAMtalk. The Reds are preparing for their first season under new manager Andoni Iraola after a disappointing 2025/26 campaign that saw them finish fifth in the Premier League, securing the final Champions League spot. The poor performance led to the exit of former manager Arne Slot.
Van Dijk's Liverpool Career
Van Dijk has been a mainstay for Liverpool since completing a move from Southampton in January 2018. The 34-year-old has been club captain since the start of the 2023/24 season. In the past, a sale of the centre-back seemed impossible, but the club is now prepared to consider any serious offers that arrive for the defender this summer.
Van Dijk signed a new contract last year, with the deal running until 2027. This means the current transfer window could be the last opportunity for Liverpool to receive a considerable fee for him.
Interest from Clubs
AC Milan have already made enquiries over a possible deal, while Turkish sides Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have also been linked with an interest. They are reportedly joined by clubs in the Saudi Pro League and the United States.
Centre-Back Concerns
Liverpool are likely to want to strengthen their centre-back options before sanctioning any move. Ibrahima Konate’s departure at the end of his contract, plus uncertainty over the future of Joe Gomez, means that youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni would be the only recognised central defenders in the squad. The club have a buy-back option for Jarell Quansah, who left for Bayer Leverkusen in a £35 million deal last summer. The clause means the Reds can re-sign the defender for around the £60 million mark.
Van Dijk has been representing the Netherlands in the World Cup in North America this summer. The nation fell to a penalty shootout loss against Morocco in their round of 32 clash.
