Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk only signed a new contract with the Reds last April after his ambitions to join Real Madrid were thwarted, according to reports in the Spanish media.
Writing for Madrid-based newspaper AS, journalist Jose Felix Diaz claimed that van Dijk waited until the last moment to find out whether an offer from Real would come before deciding to stay at Anfield.
The fact that this story came out just hours before Liverpool’s game against the La Liga club in the Champions League has led many fans on X to question the accuracy of this story:
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What a load of old cobblers 😆
— Krafty Kuts (@Krafty_Kuts) November 4, 2025
Hilarious
— Phoenix (@Wandelakanu_) November 4, 2025
Let’s all make up stories.
— Shaun88888 (@Shaunn888) November 4, 2025
Tier 5 source btw, bottom of the barrel.
— Ollie (@eillo21) November 4, 2025
What kind of clownery is this?
— Jadeee (@ashcake645) November 4, 2025
Everytime we play them the release a story of this nature. It’s pathetic.
— CERK14 (@CK14151617) November 4, 2025
Romano rubbished this claim about the Liverpool star last March
In the weeks before van Dijk put pen to paper on a new deal with the Merseysiders, journalist Fabrizio Romano said:
“Let me say that was never the case, from what I’m hearing, Real Madrid never had any conversation with Virgil van Dijk, the agents of Virgil van Dijk never started any conversation with Real Madrid.”
Considering Romano is usually very reliable, you would back his information over any from a Spanish paper with very close ties to Real.
Other teams, such as Chelsea, were keen, but it appears the centre-half always prioritised staying at Liverpool.
Van Dijk’s displays have not met his high standards
Despite starting the campaign in good form, the Dutchman has been making uncharacteristic mistakes in recent games, with the downturn of his performances coinciding with his team’s.
If the Reds are to get this season back on track, they will need van Dijk to return to his imperious best over the coming weeks and months.
Read more about the Liverpool First Team Squad for 2025/26 here