Liverpool faces a big decision over Virgil van Dijk's future as his contract runs down, with one club claimed to have already drafted a proposal to secure his signing next summer
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk is in the final year of his contract at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk is once again being linked with a move to Turkiye, with reports in eastern Europe suggesting that plans are already being put in place for the Liverpool captain to make the move next summer.
Van Dijk is in the final year of his contract at Anfield, with the Reds facing a big decision on whether to offer their captain a new deal. Returning sporting director Julian Ward will be the man tasked with that decision, having been confirmed as Richard Hughes’ replacement at the weekend.
At 35, Van Dijk is beyond the age profile for which Liverpool would usually consider offering new contracts to players, but he does continue to hold down a place at the heart of Andoni Iraola’s defense.
The Netherlands international will be free to speak to foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement from January, meaning Liverpool may have to make a decision soon - although reports in Turkiye suggest that Galatasaray may have already made a head start.
According to Fotomac, the club’s executives have set their sights on Van Dijk, and have already begun to put financial and promotional plans together in order to lure the defender to Istanbul.
It’s claimed that Galatasaray is ready to offer a lucrative multi-year contract to Van Dijk, along with signing-on bonuses in order to sweeten the deal.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Fulham
Virgil van Dijk has been linked with a move to Galatasaray when his Liverpool contract expires(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Liverpool is said to still be in dialogue with him over potentially extending his stay at Anfield, but there is also interest from Saudi Arabia, while other major European sides could also be in the running.
Van Dijk was linked with Galatasaray during the most recent transfer window, although rumors speculating a move away from Anfield were summarily dismissed following the exits of fellow club legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
Liverpool has four other players whose contracts are set to expire next summer, with Alisson Becker, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas and Wataru Endo also seeing their deals run out in 2027 as things stand.
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Despite the doubts over his future, Van Dijk has been backed to stay at Liverpool beyond this season, with former Everton and Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott not expecting a departure anytime soon.
"I would anticipate him ending his career there or playing for another few years, he doesn't look like he's getting any weaker in any area," Lescott told the Liverpool ECHO last month.
"It wasn't a great season for Liverpool on the whole, but I still think those performances in there from Van Dijk showed his class.
"I think they'll probably do even more so to preserve him now. I'd be surprised if he's still playing every minute of every game, to kind of create longevity, because he's better in the building regardless if he's playing every week [and] he's important to their whole club."