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)
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)
Virgil van Dijk‘s absence from Liverpool’s touring squad in the United States was a matter of disappointment for Chicago Fire, who hold interest in a transfer.
The decision was made for Van Dijk – whose workload throughout last season was unmatched in the Liverpool squad – to skip the pre-season tour of the USA.
Instead, the captain reported back to the AXA Training Centre at the start of last week for fitness tests and sessions alongside Cody Gakpo.
His omission from the squad based at the Endeavor Health Performance Center was a source of frustration for hosts Chicago Fire.
The Mail‘s Lewis Steele claims that officials from the MLS side were “gutted” to learn Van Dijk would not travel as “they thought they could make an unofficial pitch to sign him in the future.”
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)
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)
Van Dijk is into the final year of his contract at Liverpool and, turning 36 next summer, MLS could be a viable opportunity for him post-Anfield.
Chicago Fire “want to showcase why America can be a go-to destination,” having also hosted the Germany national team over the World Cup, and planned to “show [Van Dijk] around their state-of-the-art facilities.”
The same side made an approach to sign Mohamed Salah during his fallout with Arne Slot late last year and most recently brought in legendary striker Robert Lewandowski.
Lewandowski, 37, scored his first goals for the Fire in a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC last time out – his third game for the MLS side.
He met with Liverpool players while both teams were training at the Endeavor Health Performance Center, with Hugo Ekitike sharing a photo with the former Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona centre-forward on Instagram.
If Van Dijk were to make the switch to MLS next summer it would likely take a major restructure of his contract, with the Dutchman believed to earn £350,000 a week on his current deal.
There is also a strong case to keep him at Liverpool beyond 2027 as, despite his age, he remains one of the best centre-backs in the world and undoubtedly one of the club’s most important players.
Liverpool are planning for the future with the signings of Jeremy Jacquet, 21, Giovanni Leoni, 19, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, 18, and Mor Talla Ndiaye, 18, but Van Dijk is untouchable when it comes to the present.
France v England – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Bronze Final – Miami Stadium
France's Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze final at the Miami Stadium. Picture date: Saturday July 18, 2026.
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