Image for Virgil van Dijk could make a free transfer to AC Milan in 2027
Image for Virgil van Dijk could make a free transfer to AC Milan in 2027
Last week, Virgil van Dijk confirmed that he has yet to enter fresh contract talks with Liverpool ahead of his deal’s expiry at the end of the season.
The Dutchman is on a £400,000 per week contract, but it expires on 1 July 2027, meaning that this could be the last season we get to enjoy van Dijk at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah left the club in the summer transfer window just past, and his absence is already being felt. Liverpool are playing well under new manager Andoni Iraola, but there’s something so strange about not seeing him on the teamsheet and in training images.
Whether it’s this summer or in a year or two, Liverpool will say goodbye to van Dijk at some point too.
One way to appreciate Virgil van Dijk’s longevity at Liverpool is to look at the sheer number of centre-backs who have partnered him since he arrived in 2018.
?? Dejan Lovren: 2018-2020
?? Joël Matip: 2018-2024
??????? Joe Gomez: 2018-2026
??????? Rhys Williams: 2020
?? Ibrahima Konaté:… pic.twitter.com/9XIPEQa3qz
— Michael Mongie (@MikeMongie) September 28, 2026
Speaking to reporters last week, with The Athletic‘s James Pearce in attendance, van Dijk laughed when asked about his future at the club.
“Already?” he replied when asked if talks had been held yet about a potential extension to his deal.
“No, I am just focusing on the present. There is nothing to report on that.”
Now, reports from Italy claim that van Dijk could make a free agent move to AC Milan, which would see him pitted against Curtis Jones in the Milan derby next season.
According to Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, via Football Italia, the Dutch Liverpool captain is set to join Milan next summer, stating, “Every now and then, people make fun of me for saying van Dijk would join, but then they [did] the same the January before Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived.”
“[Milan owner] Gerry Cardinale made clear: ‘Either we get him now by paying or next year for free,’” Pellegatti added, “I said that Van Dijk will arrive at Milan sooner or later.”
Liverpool signed van Dijk for £75m in 2018, and despite the vast sum, he is one of the biggest bargains – not just in Liverpool’s history – in football history.
Replacing him is impossible. Liverpool would need to identify a centre-back capable of being the best centre-back for nearly a decade to come close.
Hopefully, Liverpool extend van Dijk’s contract so he can continue to develop his partnership with Jeremy Jacquet.