Galatasaray are considering making an official offer to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk in the next few days as they plot big moves this summer.
Journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu reports, via Haber Sarikirmizi, that he expects the Turkish giants to make a formal bid sooner rather than later for the 34-year-old.
“Galatasaray hasn’t made a move for Virgil Van Dijk yet. I expect some movement after June 15th. Galatasaray is considering making an official offer,” he is quoted as saying regarding the Liverpool defender.
Fotomaç back up Sabuncuoğlu too. They report that Galatasaray have added Van Dijk to ‘the top of their list’.
According to their information, contacts have been established with the Liverpool captain and have ‘gained momentum’. These contacts are set to continue over the summer.
Galatasaray efforts
These reports follow earlier claims from Türkiye over the last few months have indicated that Galatasaray have been making overtures towards the centre-back ahead of the summer.
The first of those came in May. It explained that Galatasaray were willing to match Van Dijk’s €15m a year wage packet at Anfield. They were waiting for a green light from him before making a move.
A separate report a few days later then claimed that talks had accelerated between both parties. The last information from Türkiye was then that Van Dijk had indicated he was open to the move this summer.
Liverpool changes
All of this, though, was before major changes occurred at Liverpool. Now Arne Slot has departed, and Andoni Iraola is at the helm, Virgil van Dijk’s stance may have changed.
The Spanish boss will certainly not be keen on the idea of his defensive stalwart leaving just a few weeks after he’s walked through the door, that’s for sure.
But the belief in Türkiye is that Galatasaray think there’s a deal to be done. And they intend to at least try and make it happen.