With a year left on Virgil van Dijk‘s contract, reports are already beginning to emerge regarding the clubs seeking his signature should he leave Liverpool.
There is no suggestion of Van Dijk going anywhere this summer and recent suggestions otherwise were quickly dismissed by local journalists.
That isn’t to say that clubs won’t be making moves to entice him away from Anfield in 2027, when his current Liverpool deal expires.
La Gazetta dello Sport reported that Milan are keen to strengthen at centre-half and Van Dijk is among their targets.
The Italian newspaper aren’t always considered the most reliable of outlets, but when it comes to their Milan reporters, there is depth to their stories.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Journalist Marco Pasotto explained that the Italian giants acknowledge he is not available at the moment but Milan “intend to return strongly next year, when his contract expires.”
I Rossoneri have just agreed to sign defender Mario Gila from Lazio for £30 million, while Real Madrid‘s left-sided 19-year-old defender, Victor Valdepenas, is reportedly also a target.
The reporter added that Fikayo Tomori is up for sale for about £17m, with new coach Ruben Amorim viewing his technique as “certainly not his strong point.”
Given Amorim will inevitably ask his Milan side to play with three at the back, it may not be an ideal destination for an ageing Van Dijk, should the former Man United coach still be there next summer.
The central berth of a back three could suit him, but if he is asked to play as a wide defender at the age of 36, it would surely expose any growing weaknesses.
Rumours of imminent transfer shot down swiftly
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. at Anfield. The game ended 4-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Recently, TEAMtalk wrote that Liverpool are prepared to “assess any serious offers” for their captain as he is no longer “untouchable” has been ruled as “wide of the mark.”
Journalist James Pearce addressed the article and other rumours in a post on X, emphatically stating: “Virgil van Dijk is going nowhere.”
Pearce added that the captain is “currently on holiday and then back for pre-season.
“New head coach Andoni Iraola [is] counting on him for 2026/27 and suggestions that LFC would even consider any offers for the talismanic defender are wide of the mark.”
Virgil van Dijk is still valuable to Liverpool
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola ahead of the Premier League match at the City Ground, Nottingham. Picture date: Saturday August 17, 2024.
The ideal scenario is for Van Dijk to stay at Liverpool and see out his playing days with his minutes managed and leadership still an asset.
However, as we have seen from some of his departing teammates, the urge to play regular football has proved too much.
Milan’s history of great Dutch talent, such as Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, and Frank Rijkaard, could provide a lure, too, as well as the superior weather.
He would arrive for free from Liverpool, but his wages would be significant and a potential stumbling block to any transfers, as we have seen with Mo Salah this summer.