Image Credits: Imago Images
Virgil van Dijk’s World Cup dream ended in the cruelest of fashions on Monday night, as the Netherlands were dumped out by Morocco on penalties in the Round of 32 – their earliest-ever elimination from the competition.
The Dutch had held the lead through Cody Gakpo’s 72nd-minute strike before Van Dijk was outjumped by Issa Diop in the 91st minute, allowing Morocco to equalise and send the game into extra time.
The Atlas Lions eventually prevailed 3-2 in the shootout, ending what may well be the Liverpool captain’s last dance at a World Cup.
He sent out a statement on Ronald Koeman’s departure as well.
There is, however, a small silver lining for Andoni Iraola. Van Dijk is now free to return to Merseyside ahead of schedule and begin pre-season preparations earlier than expected.
But while Van Dijk’s international exit dominated the headlines, there’s a story brewing in the background that will catch the attention of every Liverpool supporter.
AC Milan, co-owned by RedBird Capital, the same investment firm that holds a minority stake in Liverpool, are reportedly eyeing the 34-year-old centre-back as a summer target.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Van Dijk idea has landed on the desk of RedBird chief Gerry Cardinale himself, with the ownership group currently evaluating whether such a move is even financially feasible:
“Cardinale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have a Dutch dream called Virgil van Dijk.”
“The Van Dijk idea has reached Cardinale and an evaluation on the subject within RedBird is underway. Whether it will lead to an offer, is to be determined.”
The honest answer, by most accounts, is that it probably isn’t feasible.
Van Dijk’s wage demands are understood to be a significant stumbling block, and Milan are well aware that landing the Dutchman would represent a monumental transfer – both logistically and financially. It remains very much a dream rather than a concrete pursuit.
As a result, attention in Milan is also on an alternative in Goncalo Inacio of Sporting Lisbon.