Liverpool may soon be fielding transfer interest in Virgil van Dijk, according to reports, as one club looks to prize him away from Anfield a year before his contract expires
13:10, 11 Jun 2026
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands during the friendly international match between the Netherlands and Uzbekistan at Icahn Stadium on June 8, 2026, in New York, United States.
Virgil van Dijk is away at the World Cup, but Liverpool may still need to brace for a transfer approach.(Image: ANP via Getty Images)
For Virgil van Dijk, all focus will be on leading his nation to World Cup success over the next month. But in his absence, Liverpool may have to field some transfer interest.
Having changed the manager and lost Ibrahima Konate this summer, Liverpool will be hoping to rely on its captain as a key point of continuity at the back. Van Dijk is out of contract next year, by which time he will be turning 36, but one more campaign (at least) will certainly be the desire at Anfield.
There is excitement about the return of Giovanni Leoni from injury, and Jeremy Jacquet is also set to formally complete his move to Liverpool this summer, giving Andoni Iraola some very promising central defensive options for the future. But it would be a big ask to thrust them both into action as the first-choice pairing, which would arguably be the situation in the event that Van Dijk left.
There is of course Joe Gomez to factor in as well, but he has been linked with a transfer away from the club too. All things considered, someone making a play for Van Dijk is the last thing Liverpool needs.
But it may have to brace for potential activity next week. According to Haber Sarikirmizi, Galatasaray is lining up what would be a sensational transfer effort.
The Turkish side is said to be mulling over an official offer, although any bid would come in after June 15. Summarizing a number of other reports, Sport Witness says that Galatasaray would be prepared to match Van Dijk's Liverpool salary, and that talks have accelerated amid an indication of openness from the player himself.
Baris Alper Yilmaz of Galatasaray blocks Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Virgil van Dijk faced Galatasaray in the Champions League this season. (Image: 2026 Simon Stacpoole/Offside)
Fans may remember from the Champions League meeting this season that Galatasaray has done well at attracting big names looking for new challenges. Their squad is a veritable who's-who of players who were at the top level not long ago.
Van Dijk would be following in the footsteps of the likes of Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane, Lucas Torreira, Mauro Icardi and Mario Lemina. That collection of names are fresh off securing the Super Lig title, as well as progressing into the Champions League knockouts, so the level is more than respectable.
And yet even so, Van Dijk will surely feel that he is not ready to walk away from the Premier League. Despite Liverpool's struggles, the captain remained a key name on the team sheet, and can still claim to be one of the stars of the division.
There is renewed optimism following the appointment of Iraola, and Van Dijk must be intrigued about how he fits into the Spaniard's plans. At the very least, one would assume that he will want to have that conversation before calling time on his Liverpool career prematurely.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool lifts the trophy after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Van Dijk lifting the Premier League trophy. (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Because if the former Bournemouth manager can get a tune out of Liverpool, then Van Dijk will have the chance to lift a final trophy or two in the red jersey. That pull could prove too strong to resist.
Assuming he is willing to enterain a move, there's no indication of what Galatasary might be prepared to put on the table in order to persaude Liverpool. Mohamed Salah was allowed to rip up his contract, but it's hard to see Richard Hughes making a habit of that.
There are some similar factors at play, in the sense that Van Dijk is easily one of the highest earners at the club, and Liverpool might see some benefit in reducing that wage burden a year early. But when push comes to shove, they still need to have world-class players capable of delivering on the pitch, and the Dutchman has only earned that wage by consistetly showing he belongs in that category.
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If nothing else, Liverpool will surely be able to put the issue off for as long as the Netherlands are at the World Cup, with Van Dijk unlikely to sanction any distractions. But if and when a bid does arrive, the answer should be firm and clear.