FOOTBALL
By Eishna Rawat
Posted on July 6, 2026 10:00 pm | Updated on July 6, 2026 12:29 pm Zlatan Ibrahimovic is pushing Milan to sign Liverpool’s captain amid growing exit speculation this summer.
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AC Milan have reportedly picked out Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as a top summer target. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is understood to be actively pursuing the move. As per the latest transfer news, Liverpool could lose another key defender, just weeks after Ibrahima Konate left the club.
Virgil van Dijk Becomes a Top Milan Target
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan see Virgil van Dijk as the ideal man to lead their defence. Milan hope experience like his can guide their younger players. The club missed out on Champions League football last season. So they now want more experience at the back. As reported by ESPN, the deal will not be easy. The Dutchman still has one year left on his Anfield deal. The Reds have shown no sign of wanting to sell him.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic now works as a senior advisor at Milan. He first pushed for this move earlier in the year. He has kept pressing the board ever since. Board members are said to be split on the idea. As reported by The Hard Tackle, Owner Gerry Cardinale is looking into the cost of a deal. However, no formal offer has been made yet.
This summer has already seen Milan make several notable moves in the market. They already signed striker Goncalo Ramos in a big deal. But signing a player like Virgil van Dijk would be a much bigger task. It would take more than just money to complete this deal.
Liverpool Face a Growing Defensive Puzzle
Liverpool already lost Ibrahima Konate to Real Madrid this summer. He left on a free transfer. Losing their captain too would be a big blow. Andoni Iraola only has four senior centre-backs right now. That has raised fresh questions about depth ahead of a long season. That is a thin squad for a team still fighting at the top of the Premier League.
New signings like Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni show the club is planning. Mor Talla Ndiaye has also joined the defence. Still, none of them bring the same experience as their captain.
Finances remain a challenge for Milan. As reported by Liverpool.com, the defender earns close to £400,000 a week. Few clubs in world **football**can match that kind of wage. The Rossoneri would also need to convince him with a longer deal.
What Comes Next for Virgil van Dijk
Fabrizio Romano moved quickly to dismiss the talk. He said the defender remains fully part of the club’s plans for now. Still, his contract runs out in 2027. If fresh terms are not agreed soon, the situation could change quickly next summer.
Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool in 2025/26, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists Aerial Duels Defensive Contributions
Premier League 38 6 0 174 351
FA Cup 4 0 0 14 24
UCL 12 2 3 36 81
As reported by GOAL, Milan are also looking at other names. Goncalo Inacio is one option, and he would likely cost much less. Italian outlets have also named other defenders as backup plans.
For Virgil van Dijk, the focus for now stays on Anfield, not Milan. A move away would end a great chapter at Liverpool. He has won nearly every trophy in the game there. That legacy makes any final decision even harder to make.
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Eishna Rawat
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