An unexpected club has reportedly been planning a move for Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC gestures looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC at Parc des Princes on April 8, 2026 in Paris, France.
Virgil van Dijk is being eyed by an MLS club(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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Chicago Fire chiefs were said to be bitterly disappointed by Virgil van Dijk's absence from Liverpool's pre-season tour of America. The MLS club are reportedly lining up a transfer for the defender next summer and were keen to sell themselves to the Reds defender.
The third and final stop of Liverpool's US tour this summer saw them face Leeds United in Chicago, Illinois, where they lost 4-2 on Sunday. Andoni Iraola's side played the match at Soldier Field, the home ground of Chicago Fire, having also used the MLS outfit's performance centre for training sessions.
However, club captain Van Dijk was a notable absentee throughout the entire trip to the States. This was due to Liverpool granting him an extended summer break following his involvement with the Netherlands at the World Cup, meaning he was excused from joining the rest of the squad on tour.
Yet, the 35-year-old's non-appearance is said to have left Chicago Fire staff "gutted". The Mail reports that the Fire have identified Van Dijk as a potential future acquisition.
His existing Anfield contract runs out next summer, and from January he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England ahead of becoming a free agent at the season's end.
The MLS club had been hoping to make an unofficial approach to the Dutchman by showcasing their world-class facilities, which were also utilised by Germany during the World Cup.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during a training session at Endeavor Health Performance Center on August 01, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
The rest of the Liverpool squad trained at Endeavor Health Performance Center in Chicago, Illinois(Image: Nikki Dyer, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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That represented an effort to show the Reds captain why America could be an appealing option, with the club also having recently brought in Robert Lewandowski on a two-year deal.
Van Dijk is currently on a £350,000-a-week contract which he penned just over a year ago. Liverpool refused to entertain bids for their legendary defender this summer, even at the risk of losing him for nothing next year, due to how crucial his leadership and experience remains to Iraola.
It is unclear whether Van Dijk will be offered a new contract during the upcoming season by the Reds hierarchy. According to La Gazetta dello Sport, after recognising a transfer would be impossible this summer, clubs such as AC Milan are already planning to sign the centre-back as a free agent in 12 months' time.
Van Dijk has been working at the AXA Training Centre since last week, with Liverpool's main squad reuniting with him and Cody Gakpo following their Merseyside return after the end of their US tour.