Galatasaray are reportedly accelerating their plans to sign Virgil van Dijk this summer, with claims being made that the skipper wants to leave the club.
The Reds are in decline but have an opportunity to stall the regression on display this season, although selling van Dijk would not help the situation at all.
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are set to leave the club in the summer transfer window, and losing van Dijk at the same time would be a dangerous situation.
Despite being surrounded by mediocrity this term, the Dutch centre-back has done an admirable job and remains the best in his position in the Premier League.
While he may be 34 and approaching the twilight of his vaunted career, there is no denying his class and importance to Liverpool.
??? Virgil van Dijk (34) with the winning goal in the Merseyside derby! 100th minute. ? pic.twitter.com/Typ9qC3Dbp
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 19, 2026
Latest Virgil van Dijk transfer news as reports indicate a potential move to Turkey
According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, van Dijk could make a move to giants Galatasaray. The Super Lig side beat the Reds 1-0 in the Champions League group stages before winning 1-0 and losing 4-0 in the first and second legs of their Round of 16 tie with the Reds.
Van Dijk is Galatasaray’s priority signing this summer, with manager Okan Buruk wanting to sign a ‘leading star’ to strengthen his side.
For his part, van Dijk is reportedly ‘planning to leave Liverpool’ despite signing a £400,000 per week contract just last season.
The former Southampton captain has become a ‘prominent name’ in the transfer planning at Galatasaray. He is apparently ready to join Gala after being impressed by the intimidating atmosphere he encountered in his games against the Turkish outfit this season.
Liverpool would be fools to let van Dijk leave
This report is worth taking with a pinch of salt. Even though my faith in the decision makers at Anfield has diminished this season, it seems a stretch of the imagination that they would let van Dijk leave the club when they are getting ready to let Mo Salah leave for free.
When you factor in that another major squad leader Andy Robertson will also leave, it would border on negligence to let van Dijk go as well.
Liverpool have been rudderless this season (largely in part to Arne Slot’s lack of inspiration as the club’s leader), but should van Dijk leave, it would be very worrying indeed.