Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has dismissed a potential transfer link to Real Madrid.
The Dutch international produced a superb defensive display against Los Blancos in the Reds 2-0 UEFA Champions League win at Anfield.
Van Dijk marshalled the home backline on the night to secure his first-ever career win over the defending European champions.
However, his long term future on Merseyside is unclear, with his contract expiring at the end of 2024/25 season.
Jude Bellingham
Image via Getty Images
Van Dijk’s representatives are in talks with the club over a fresh deal but no agreement has been reached.
The veteran centre back was asked by journalists from El Chiringuito about the possibility of a free transfer to Madrid in 2025 but he insisted there is no update at this stage.
“Do Real Madrid need a defender? But [Antonio] Rudiger is there, no? I’m fully focused on Manchester City this weekend and I have nothing else to say regarding my future,” he said.
The negotiations could roll on to the start of 2025 – where Van Dijk is eligible to open free transfer talks with non-English teams – but his preference is to stay on Merseyside.